Ithaka, dir. Ben Lawrence, Australia 2022, 106 min., English subtitles, 12A
One of the most contentious and controversial figures in contemporary society, Julian Assange is the subject of a tug-of-war between the UK, the USA, Ecuador and Sweden that recently entered its 12th year. Ben Lawrence’s film explores the WikiLeaks’ founder fight to avoid extradition to the US – and a potential 175-year prison sentence – through a unique prism: John Shipton, Assange’s father.
Lawrence follows Shipton and Stella Moris, Assange’s fiancée (now wife), as they advocate for Assange against the might of governments on three continents and the glare of the world’s media. As the pair rally a worldwide network of supporters and politicians, they’re forced to confront the events that made Assange a global flashpoint – and what might happen next.
no. 236848.