The Fifth Estate

The Fifth Estate

Year: 2013

Runtime: 128 min

Language: English

Directors: Bill Condon, R.J. Cutler

BiographyDramaThrillerDocumentary

This biographical thriller follows WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange and his associate Daniel Domscheit-Berg as they create a groundbreaking platform for whistleblowers to anonymously reveal government secrets and corporate wrongdoing. Their actions spark a global revolution in transparency, but also attract increasing scrutiny and danger. The story culminates in a tense confrontation centered around access to classified U.S. intelligence documents and the escalating risks they face.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline – The Fifth Estate (2013)

Trace every key event in The Fifth Estate (2013) with our detailed, chronological timeline. Perfect for unpacking nonlinear stories, spotting hidden connections, and understanding how each scene builds toward the film’s climax. Whether you're revisiting or decoding for the first time, this timeline gives you the full picture.

1

Initial Meeting

In 2007, Daniel Domscheit-Berg meets Julian Assange for the first time at the Chaos Communication Congress in Berlin. This meeting marks the beginning of their partnership centered around their shared vision for WikiLeaks and online activism.

2007 Berlin
2

Formation of WikiLeaks

After corresponding over email, Daniel expresses his eagerness to collaborate with Assange on WikiLeaks. This platform aims to expose classified information while protecting the identities of whistleblowers, signifying a new era of transparency.

3

First Major Target

Their first significant project involves investigating the Swiss bank Julius Baer, which is implicated in illicit activities through its Cayman Islands branch. Despite legal actions taken by Baer to shut them down, a judge ultimately lifts the restrictions, allowing them to reclaim the domain name.

Cayman Islands
4

Publishing Sensitive Information

Over the following years, Daniel and Assange publish various sensitive leaks, including details about Scientology and Sarah Palin's email account. Daniel feels a sense of purpose, believing they are engaged in a noble fight for transparency.

5

Strained Partnership

As their operations expand, the relationship between Daniel and Assange begins to deteriorate. Personal and professional setbacks affect Daniel, who ultimately loses his job while Assange remains focused on the mission, leading to increasing tension.

6

Assange's Dismissive Attitude

Assange's brusque demeanor further strains their partnership. Incidents such as abandoning Daniel at a family dinner amplify existing rifts, causing Daniel to question Assange's true character and motivations.

Family Home
7

Uncovering Assange's Past

Flashbacks reveal Assange's troubled childhood and ties to a dubious cult. These insights lead Daniel to speculate whether Assange’s passion for WikiLeaks stems from unresolved trauma rather than altruism.

8

Document Leaks by Chelsea Manning

The situation escalates dramatically when Bradley Manning leaks a trove of documents, including the notorious 'Collateral Murder' video and millions of classified cables. Daniel insists on reviewing the documents before publication to ensure the safety of informants.

9

Media Collaboration

Major news outlets collaborate with WikiLeaks to distribute the leaked documents while portraying the organization positively. Meanwhile, both Daniel and the media pressure Assange to redact names to protect sources, an agreement he hesitates to honor.

10

Breaking Ties with Assange

As tensions peak, Daniel realizes Assange plans to disregard their agreement on document redaction. In a decisive move, he and the original WikiLeaks team cut ties with Assange, effectively erasing the site and blocking him from their server.

11

Confiding in The Guardian

After severing ties with Assange, Daniel confides in a reporter from The Guardian about the consequences of their partnership. He expresses concern over granting Assange excessive visibility, complicating the narrative around their disclosures.

12

Daniel's Book Publication

In the aftermath of his experiences with Assange, Daniel publishes a book detailing his time at WikiLeaks. This leads to tensions as Assange threatens legal action, asserting that the book misrepresents the facts.

13

Assange's Refuge

The film concludes with Assange seeking refuge in the Ecuadorian embassy in London to avoid arrest over sexual misconduct allegations. He uses an interview to criticize upcoming films about WikiLeaks and reflects on his partnership with Daniel.

Ecuadorian embassy, London
14

WikiLeaks Continues Operations

In the final moments, it’s revealed that WikiLeaks continues to operate, with hints that Assange may have regained control of the platform or established a new one after parting ways with Daniel. This suggests that the legacy of their work still impacts the world.

Last Updated: November 08, 2024 at 03:09

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The Fifth Estate Summary

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The Fifth Estate Summary

Characters, Settings & Themes in The Fifth Estate

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Characters, Settings & Themes in The Fifth Estate

More About The Fifth Estate

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