| National Bird | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Sonia Kennebeck |
| Produced by |
|
| Cinematography | Torsten Lapp |
| Edited by | Maxine Goedicke |
| Music by | Insa Rudolph |
Production companies |
|
| Distributed by | FilmRise |
Release dates |
|
Running time | 92 minutes |
| Countries |
|
| Language | English |
| Box office | $10,656[1] |
National Bird is a 2016 American-German documentary film directed and produced by Sonia Kennebeck. Wim Wenders and Errol Morris serve as executive producers.[2]
The film had its world premiere at the Berlin International Film Festival on February 11, 2016. It was released in the United States on November 11, 2016, by FilmRise.
Synopsis[edit]
The film focuses on three whistleblowers who talk about unmanned aerial vehicles commonly called drones.[3]
Release[edit]
The film had its world premiere at the Berlin International Film Festival on February 14, 2016.[4] Shortly after, FilmRise acquired U.S. distribution rights to the film.[5] It also screened at the Tribeca Film Festival on April 16, 2016.[6] The film was released in the United States on November 11, 2016.[7] It was broadcast on Independent Lens on May 1, 2017.[8]
Reception[edit]
Critical reception[edit]
National Bird received positive reviews from film critics. It holds a 100% approval rating on review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, based on 22 reviews, with a weighted average of 8.30/10.[9] On Metacritic, the film holds a rating of 75 out of 100, based on 11 critics, indicating "generally favorable reviews".[10]
Peter Debruge of Variety gave the film a positive review writing: "Chilling testimony from those three veterans, each of whom helped to wage war from behind consoles half a world away, serves as the backbone of a film that adds its voice to mounting criticism of the U.S. drone program."[11] Alex Needham of The Guardian gave the film four out of five stars writing: "With stealth and elegance, Kennebeck brings these alarming truths into the light."[12]
See also[edit]
- List of films featuring drones
- Uruzgan helicopter attack - the attack featured in this film
References[edit]
- ^ "National Bird". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved March 27, 2021.
- ^ Rezayazdi, Soheil (April 20, 2016). "Tribeca 2016: Five Questions for National Bird Director Sonia Kennebeck". Filmmaker. Retrieved May 4, 2016.
- ^ Roddy, Michael (February 13, 2016). "Berlin film 'National Bird' gives whistleblower view of drones". Reuters. Retrieved May 4, 2016.
- ^ "National Bird". Berlin International Film Festival. Retrieved March 27, 2021.
- ^ Pederson, Erik (April 13, 2016). "FilmRise Locks On To Drone-Warfare Docu 'National Bird'". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved March 27, 2021.
- ^ "National Bird | 2016 Tribeca Festival". Tribeca Film Festival. Retrieved March 27, 2021.
- ^ Murthi, Vikram (October 5, 2016). "'National Bird' Exclusive Trailer: Errol Morris and Wim Wenders Present Story of Drone Warfare Whistleblowers". IndieWire. Retrieved March 27, 2021.
- ^ "National Bird". ITVS. Retrieved March 27, 2021.
- ^ "National Bird (2016)". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved March 27, 2021.
- ^ "National Bird". Metacritic. Retrieved March 27, 2021.
- ^ Debruge, Peter (February 15, 2016). "Berlin Film Review: 'National Bird'". Variety. Retrieved May 4, 2016.
- ^ Needham, Alex (April 17, 2016). "National Bird review – chilling film reveals truths about drones". The Guardian. Retrieved May 4, 2016.
External links[edit]
- Official website
- National Bird | Drone Warfare Whistleblowers | Independent Lens | PBS National Bird] at Independent Lens
- National Bird at IMDb
