War Photographer (2001)

War Photographer (2001) is a fabulous documentary film about photographer, James Nachtwey.

The filmmakers attached a small video camera to the end of Nachtwey’s Canon lens, letting us see what he sees in places like The West Bank, Kosovo, and Rhwanda. Nachtwey’s whole life is devoted to photography. He constantly puts himself in danger to get ‘the shot’.

By the end of the film you realize that Nachtwey has been deeply affected by some of the things he’s photographed. So why does he continue to shoot photographs for Stern and Time? It’s not for the awards, to sell more photographs in mid-town Manhattan or to become a celebrity. Nachtwey says it best on his website:

I have been a witness, and these pictures are my testimony. The events I have recorded should not be forgotten and must not be repeated.

To see some of Nachtwey’s work, visit his website at jamesnachtwey.com. Better still, watch War Photographer on DVD. ½

Films are rated from 1 to 4 stars.

Posted in DVD Reviews and Photography at 8:27 PM