Watch Imminent Threat

Imminent Threat is a 2015 documentary film that delves into the United States government's history of surveillance, as well as the impact that such practices have had on our civil liberties. The film is directed by Janek Ambros, and enlists the perspectives of various experts in the field, as well as politicians who have been intimately involved in shaping national security policy.

Throughout the film, we are taken on a journey that explores the many methods that the government has used in order to monitor its own citizens, and the implications that these methods have had on our democracy. We hear from both critics and defenders of these practices, and are compelled to consider the nuances of a debate that has far-reaching consequences.

One of the key figures in the film is Anwar Al-Awlaki, a Yemeni-American imam who was killed in a drone strike in 2011. Before his death, Al-Awlaki had become a notorious figure in the war on terror, with the government accusing him of inciting violence against the West. We hear from Al-Awlaki's family in the film, who express their belief that he was unfairly targeted by the United States government.

Julian Assange, the founder of WikiLeaks, is another interviewee who appears in the film. Assange is famous for his work in publishing classified government documents, and has received both praise and criticism for his actions. In Imminent Threat, Assange gives his thoughts on the role that the internet has played in the evolution of government spying on its own citizens, and argues that transparency is the key to preventing further abuse of power.

Joe Biden, who at the time of filming was the Vice President of the United States, also makes an appearance in the film. As a politician who has been involved in shaping national security policy for decades, Biden shares his own thoughts on the balance between security and privacy. He argues that while national security is a vital concern, it should not come at the expense of our freedoms as citizens.

Throughout the film, we are constantly reminded of the enduring power of technology to erode our own privacy. From drones to metadata collection, Imminent Threat shows how the government has used various methods to monitor our lives in ways that would have been unimaginable just a few decades ago.

Despite its critical perspective on government surveillance, Imminent Threat manages to avoid being completely partisan. While there are certainly moments in the film that are critical of the government's actions, it also presents the perspectives of those who believe that these methods are necessary to protect us from the threat of terrorism. By doing so, the film invites us to engage with the complexities of this issue without resorting to simplistic answers.

Overall, Imminent Threat is a chilling exploration of the power that governments wield over their own citizens, and the lengths to which they can go in the name of security. With an impressive list of interviewees and a tone that is both serious and engaging, the film is sure to provoke deep thought and conversation about the role that governments should play in our lives.

Imminent Threat is a 2015 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 14 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.4.