War Photographer
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Movie Reviews of War Photographer
Movie Review: Informative and Moving
Summary: 5 Stars
I have never before seen a film like this. You see what war photographer James Nachtwey sees as he holds his camera to his eye thanks to a tiny movie camera mounted on his Canon SLR. And he really gets into the action of the wars he covers. Yet he stays calm because he has an important message to deliver to people in world more focused on celebrities than the huge of amount of suffering he sees. You also see Nachtwey described by others including Christiane Amanpour of CNN. Amanpour is a seasoned journalist who finds Nachtwey's cool demeanor in the face of war an enigma. He is also described by German photo editors and his best friend. You also see Nachtwey collaborate with his printer.
Nachtwey challenges us to face these horrors and do something about them. He asks "if we don't who will?" A good question.
This DVD really made me think and I learned a lot about how one of the world's great photographers works. There is also a seperate interview with Nachtwey which is interesting.
Finally, Nachtwey's book Inferno is back in print and available on Amazon.com. When it was out of print it sold at a big premium to what it costs now. It is a stunningly marvelous and poignant collection of photos. I suggest you get it while you can. They are hard to view but great for promoting the cause of humanity.
Movie Review: If you even think about watching this, please do
Summary: 5 Stars
I'm basically repeating some of what other people have stated, but I have to add to this as well: This is an amazing film that I am extremely grateful to have found. It provides such a close, intimate, detailed view of one person's life, and it shows exactly how courageous one person needs to be in life. It shows the smallest details about being a photographer - the patience required, the willingness to put yourself out there for a better cause, the caring heart you need to have to help the people you capture in film, and the professional detachment you need to walk away from them. But not only does the film provide a view into a war photographer's life, which it does supremely well, it also shows us the life of the many people he works with and photographs. The lives these people lead are sometimes incredibly difficult, and both Nachtwey and Frei manage to capture them without any pretense. Just like someone else mentions in the reviews - this film was definitely one of the most profound movie watching experiences of my life. It has definitely affected me in very many ways. It's simply an amazing film - please watch it if you can.Movie Review: Amazing Documentary
Summary: 5 Stars
I've seen many documentaries in my day and I am a documentary filmmaker myself. It's rare that I see something that affects me as profoundly as this amazing work on James Nachtwey. There's something wonderfully "non-human" about this man. He photographs hideous suffering and brutality througout the world, yet manages to remain emotionally centered and always, always compassionate toward his seemingly hopeless subjects. He believes in the best of humanity while witnessing the worst. Nacthwey also reminds us, in what I consider an affirming way, of our complicity in the various forms of barbarism throughout the world, simply because we allow such things to happen. Yet he believes that we have the capacity and, yes, the willingness to end it. He sincerely believes that we will someday be elevated to a level of empathy for those who suffer that will result in safer, more respectful and enlightened world. I hope he is right, for the sake of all our souls.
Movie Review: Highly Recommended
Summary: 5 Stars
I remember a couple of years ago, being in NYC's Photoexpo and seeing Mr. Nachtwey doing an autograph session, and it just kept on thinking how odd it was to stand next to a guy who has been to the most corners of the world and has defeated death more than once, all in pursuit of picture taking.. and not just any picture taking mind you, but an artistic view of some of the most harrowing places and situations in the planet, places the locals would do anything to escape. This film gives you an intimate glimpse of what Mr. Nachtwey's does and in a way why he does what he does.
While most famous fashion photographers live surrounded by glamour and fortune, this guy risks his life to document the most horrendous tribulations of mankind. If there ever was a true photographic hero, Mr. Nachtwey is the one, and his books are a legacy that most may not want to look at, but it is a document that humanity needs very much.
Movie Review: Fantastic.... amazing.
Summary: 5 Stars
Sure it has 5 stars across the board, but what exactly is being conveyed in a DVD like this? Just someone following around a famous photographer? Or is it more than that? It tells a story, albeit a hard to swallow one, it's about humanity, professionalism, and duty.
He has this little video camera attached to his regular camera, which follows him around, and you see exactly what he's seeing as he shoots. In other parts he has another video guy following him around, showing an area, and James deducing what is the most important piece of the scene to shoot. Cristiane Amanpore chimes in several times as do other experts in the field and they talk about his dedication to his job etc... in a few shots they show post processing on a some photographs....
Truly an excellent DVD. If you can't take true humanity though, it can be tough to watch at times.