In an era where transparency is treated like a luxury item, a major new documentary is stepping into the fight. The Six Billion Dollar Man: Julian Assange and the Price of Truth is gearing up for a cinematic release, and it has already made history on the awards circuit.
Directed by acclaimed documentarian Eugene Jarecki, the film has racked up major recognition, including:
- Winner: Cannes Film Festival 2025: L’Oeil d’Or
- Winner: First-ever Golden Globe for Documentary
That’s not hype. That’s a statement.
What’s The Six Billion Dollar Man Actually About?
The name Julian Assange sparks strong opinions before the opening credits even roll. But this film is less about Assange the personality and more about what his case has come to represent:
Who gets to decide what the public is allowed to know?
Featuring interviews and real-world players including Edward Snowden, Naomi Klein, Stella Assange, Daniel Ellsberg and others, the documentary digs into government accountability, the power systems shaping public knowledge, and the growing criminalisation of journalism.
As Jarecki puts it: “This is an urgent cautionary tale about what precisely is happening to all of us right now.”
We’re talking encrypted chats, whistleblowers, surveillance, democracy under pressure, and what happens when truth itself becomes contraband.
“Like a Real-Life Spy Thriller”… Except It Isn’t Fiction
Reviews coming out of Cannes and the festival circuit have been loud:
“Meticulously researched… a gripping portrait.” — The Times
“Close to definitive.” — The Guardian
“The truth matters.” — The Hollywood Reporter
This isn’t a rehash of headlines from a decade ago. The documentary includes new material and context connecting Assange’s case directly to modern threats against a free press.
When and Where?
UK & Irish Cinemas — 19 December
More info: www.thesixbilliondollarman.com
(International dates haven’t been announced yet, but we’ll be watching like hawks.)
Why We’re Covering This at Unruly Folk
We talk a lot about entertainment here, but we also care deeply about the storytellers behind it.
Whether you view Assange as a hero, a villain, or something messier and in-between, this film demands a conversation bigger than all of us:
What happens to democracy when journalism becomes a crime?
TL;DR
- New award-winning documentary about journalism, power, and the Assange case
- A hard look at who controls information
- Releases 19 December in the UK & Ireland
- Expect debates. Big ones.
Stay unruly, and stay informed.
