The most famous hacker in history, WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange resides in isolation in London’s tough Belmarsh prison awaiting possible extradition to the US to face trial for espionage. His crime? Publishing videos of US military war crimes against Iraqis, provided to him by Chelsea Manning. If convicted, Assange faces a 175-year sentence, despite American constitutional values of free speech and freedom of the press. He was arrested in London in 2010, breached bail, and spent seven years under the protection of the Ecuadorian Embassy until his physical removal to Belmarsh. Assange’s father John Shipton, and his brother Gabriel along with Assange’s wife Stella Moris, continue to advocate for his freedom; his mental health is fragile and physically, he’s not well. Ben Lawrence’s provocative and heartbreaking documentary Ithaka, playing at Toronto’s Hot Docs Film Festival now, details the family’s struggles, tireless campaigning, Assange’s family and how they’re coping, and the concept of justice. What She Said’ Anne Brodie spoke with the Shiptons from New York: