Dartmouth Events

This sharp political dramedy charts the true story of Reality Winner, the brilliant misfit NSA contractor who blew the whistle on Russia's 2016 election interference.

Despite her unusual name, idiosyncratic views instilled by her lefty father (Zach Galifianakis) and her knack for the Pashto language, Reality Winner (Emilia Jones, CODA) is pretty normal. She goes shopping with her mother (a stellar Connie Britton '89), moves in with her boyfriend (Danny Ramirez), and loves animals. The brilliant misfit from Texas is determined to make a difference helping others, though her strong anti-authoritarian streak doesn't always serve that goal.

This quirky girl-power comedy gives way to something darker when her hopes of working at an NGO dry up and she takes a job as an NSA contractor, where she ultimately leaks Russia's hacking campaign of the 2016 US presidential election. A vilified whistleblower, Reality is determined to represent herself in court and stand up for her beliefs. 

Director Susanna Fogel (Cat Person) draws a connection between Winner's political idealism and the public's seemingly willful indifference toward corruption and human rights abuses. Although her story was quickly eclipsed by Trump's surprise 2016 presidential win, it is worth revisiting now as we consider the courage and costs involved in speaking truth to power.

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