Snowden film ‘almost killed’ by self-censorship

It was the largest data leak in United States history, fueling a firestorm over the issue of mass surveillance that resonated with Americans and ignited around the world.
Oliver Stone’s hotly-anticipated “Snowden” tells the story of NSA whistleblower Edward Snowden in dramatic form for the first time — but the movie almost never made it theaters.
“Frankly, it was turned down by every major studio. The script was good, the budget was good, the cast was good. It was definitely... self-censorship,” Stone, 69, told San Diego fan convention Comic-Con International on Thursday.
“I don’t believe there was an enemy such as the NSA lurking in the background. But definitely self-censorship is a huge issue in this industry, and it blocks so much of the truth from coming out.
“Every studio, every corporate board that runs the studio, more than the studio people, said no.”
Considered a traitor by some and a hero by others, the 33-year-old fled to Hong Kong and was given political asylum in Russia after the US revoked his passport. He now leads a reclusive life there.
Stone was joined on stage at Comic-Con by cast members Zachary Quinto, Shailene Woodley and Joseph Gordon-Levitt — who plays Snowden and accompanied the director to Moscow to meet the exiled security contractor. Gordon-Levitt describes Snowden as “very polite... almost an old-fashioned gentleman” who came across as warm and optimistic about how technology can strengthen democracy.

Source: Arab News