Gripping docu-thriller about a groundbreaking surveillance program, the brilliant mastermind behind it and how a perfect alternative to mass surveillance was killed by NSA-management for money – three weeks prior to 9/11.
Bill Binney was a brilliant cryptologist and long-time National Security Agency (NSA) analyst, since 1997 serving as Technical Director. Binney developed a sophisticated program named ThinThread for gathering data capable of providing clues, in real-time, of potential terrorist threats. Built-in safeguards would have prevented the massive surveillance methods later exposed by Edward Snowden. Why was this program killed off? And who was behind that?
Friedrich Moser’s eye-opening and deeply disturbing documentary tells the complete story of Bill Binney and those, both inside the NSA and out, who backed ThinThread. A program that gathered data, lawfully, effectively, and more inexpensively, than the now discredited programs pursued by the US and EU governments. It’s also a chilling account of those willing to go on the record and what happened to them when they tried to expose the truth. Could ThinThread have prevented 9/11?
Very likely, as a test-run has shown, whose results are still classified to this day.
Reviews:
★★★★ – the Guardian
“Convincing! … fascinating… certainly packs a punch!”
“the film is a fascinating, sometimes jaw-dropping account of gifted individuals thwarted by self-serving superiors, with tragic results“ – INDIEWIRE / TOH
★★★★★ – Filmmagasinet Ekko (Denmark)
“A Good American is as exciting as a well-made thriller….extremely cinematic”
★★★★★ – Soundvenue (Denmark)
“an insanely compelling, well-orchestrated and explosive documentary”
UK Distribution: Scottish Documentary Institute
Links:
Official Website
Moving Docs Europe
To arrange a screening please contact: festivals@scotdoc.com
