Award-winning documentarian Eugene Jarecki is presenting his new film, "The Six Billion Dollar Man," at the 78th Cannes Film Festival in the Special Screenings section, which is taking place from May 13 to 24, 2025. The film focuses on WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange and his fight for press freedom.
Jarecki emphasizes the importance of highlighting individuals who stand up for truth in the face of power. The film traces Assange's journey, including his time in the Ecuadorian embassy in London and later in a UK prison, before his release after pleading guilty to a single criminal count under the US Espionage Act.
The documentary utilizes privileged access to WikiLeaks footage and never-before-seen evidence. Jarecki's film, premiering May 21, 2025, explores the precarious position of journalists in a world where the defense of truth is under threat.