Covering the world's war zones and hot spots is all in a day's work for James Nachtwey, who--contrary to the old stereotype of war photographers as hard-drinking adventurers--is a reserved, thoughtful, and articulate man. Inspired by the far-reaching consequences of the photo coverage of the Vietnam war, and believing that he too could make a difference, Nachtwey has traveled extensively to cover conflicts in South Africa, Nicaragua, Kosovo, and Israel's West Bank. Thirty years later--though he invariably sees a link between poverty, political corruption, and war--Nachtwey still can't understand the depth of inhumanity and hatred he has witnessed (particularly during Rwanda's tribal wars, which he describes as “like taking the express elevator to hell”). Employing famed combat photographer Robert Capa's approach (“If your pictures aren't good enough, you're not close enough”), the Oscar-nominated War Photographer tries to bring the viewer as close to war as possible (meaning that the images here are graphic and disturbing). Although Nachtwey admits to feeling fear in the thick of the action, he channels his emotions into the work, ultimately hoping to lead people into confronting humankind's underlying commonality, while illustrating the needless suffering caused by war. While CNN correspondent Christiane Amanpour and others make brief, mostly unnecessary, comments about Nachtwey and the personal price he has paid for his devotion to his work, the real focus is on the man himself in this timely, Oscar-nominated portrait. Recommended. Aud: C, P. [Note: DVD extras include a “Locations” gallery slideshow (2 min.), the brief featurette “Protagonists” (1 min.), interviews with photographer James Nachtwey (3 min.) and filmmaker Christian Frei (2 min), a crew list, and a trailer. Bottom line: a small extras package for a solid documentary.](S. Rees)
War Photographer
(2001) 96 min. VHS: $440 (w/PPR), DVD: $29.95. First Run/Icarus Films. Color cover. Volume 17, Issue 5
War Photographer
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