In Edward Snowden: The Interview, we are taken on a gripping journey into one of the most controversial and high-stakes whistleblower incidents of the 21st century. This movie challenges the boundary of informational freedom and the state surveillance network, centering the story, as the name implies, on Edward Snowden, the former National Security Agency (NSA) contractor who leaked highly confidential information about worldwide surveillance programs.

German filmmaker, Hubert Seipel, masterfully directs this compelling documentary and conducts an extensive, insightful interview with Edward Snowden. Seipel pulls back the curtain on Snowden's life, revealing intimate details about Snowden's personality, motivations, beliefs, and the fears that led him to make the enormous sacrifice of posterity for transparency.

The story unfolds through an elaborate and candid interview of Snowden himself, predominantly shot in the basement of a hotel in Russia, where he lives in exile. In this interview, Snowden addresses various aspects of his extraordinary decision to leak NSA documents revealing the United States' global surveillance programs – an act that resulted in his current status as an international fugitive forced to live in Russia under temporary asylum since 2013.

Hubert Seipel proves incredibly adept at handling such a complex issue, managing to shed light on the most pressing questions posed by Snowden's case without shying away from the criticisms. Throughout this documentary, he assists viewers in understanding the man behind the headlines – to see Snowden not just as news fodder but as a person, acting on strongly held beliefs regarding the public's right to knowledge and privacy.

What's distinct about Edward Snowden: The Interview is that it doesn't dwell upon the act of the leak itself. There is no showcasing of a flashy espionage or high-intensity chase scenes that Hollywood often loves. Instead, it relies solely on the power of Snowden's words, his explanations, his regrets, and his hopes for the future. The film utilizes a simple but effective format, extensively focusing on the narrative of Snowden and his motivations, highlighting the reasons that led to Snowden's decisions. Consequently, it ends up as a potent account of conscience, personal sacrifice, and a firm belief in the public’s right to privacy and information.

The movie also evolves a potential debate surrounding the blurred lines between whistleblowing, treason, and cyber terrors. Snowden himself crystalizes the conundrum: is he a national security threat or a hero of public transparency racial tensions? Such unanswered questions are left for the viewers to ponder, which adds more gravity to the impact of this documentary.

Edward Snowden: The Interview also effectively depicts personal cost, with Snowden discussing his family and their unknown future, particularly focusing on his dilemma of neither being able to return home nor know if he will ever see his family again. This paints a humanizing portrait of a man who is often discussed solely in terms of his deeds.

Seipel's interviewing style deserves applaud. His questions are poignant, sometimes designed to elicit emotion while at others to extract clarity on technical complexities of Snowden's work at the NSA. The charismatic and articulate Snowden, in turn, provides thought-provoking answers that make the glimpse into the world of global surveillance more accessible to the general masses. Moreover, the rapport between Snowden and Seipel helps in providing the audience a deeper sense of doubt and questioning towards unchecked state functions.

Alongside the potent words from Snowden, Seipel expertly weaves in supportive evidence and countering opinions, highlighting the scale and implications of the NSA's actions, helping the audiences develop a more well-rounded understanding of the situation.

In a nutshell, Edward Snowden: The Interview is an affecting, powerful, and informative documentary that amplifies the privacy debate on a global scale while simultaneously pointing us towards the human side of Edward Snowden. The film's straight-forward simplicity fixates predominantly on Snowden's narrative, making it a must-watch for anyone who believes in the importance of personal privacy in an increasingly digitally connected world. It's an idealistic tribute to a man considered by many as a hero of transparency.