Cameraperson

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Cameraperson

Released Sep 9, 2016

1h 42m

Documentary

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Popcornmeter

99%

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109 Reviews

69%

Popcornmeter

500+ Ratings

Cinematographer Kirsten Johnson exposes her many years behind the camera through a memoir made up of decades of footage shot all over the world.

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Critics Consensus

Fresh and inventive yet immediately accessible, Cameraperson distills its subject's life and career into an experience that should prove immediately absorbing even for those unfamiliar with her work.

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Alexandra Heller-Nicholas

The Blue Lenses

An autobiography of sorts, Cameraperson demands we think beyond Johnson's own extraordinary career and reflect upon our own status as observers, and the ethical and emotional responsibilities that come with it.

Aug 25, 2018

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K. Austin Collins

The Ringer

Cameraperson is at its best when it captures instances of unexpected life.

Aug 10, 2017

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Adam Graham

Detroit News

A life behind the lens is examined in "Cameraperson," a fascinating, purposely disjointed documentary from director Kirsten Johnson.

Rated: B+

Apr 14, 2017

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Becky Kukla

Vague Visages

Cameraperson constantly re-evaluates ethics and morality in terms of documentary filmmaking. The off-camera discussions often center around how to handle the subjects or the situation.

Aug 7, 2023

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Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

A collection of 100 minutes of various footage Kirsten Johnson shot for other pictures -- a “Greatest Hits” compilation, as it were.

Rated: 3.5/4

Dec 30, 2022

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Calum Baker

Radio Times

Through her smart balancing of tones, Johnson creates a graceful, ground-breaking and thoroughly cinematic work of art.

Rated: 5/5

Aug 12, 2021

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Dominique F

Compassionate, rich, powerful.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

04/07/24

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Audience Member

This is difficult. This is harsh. It is compelling; absorbing. This is traumatic, but also undeniably powerful. It is utterly pure and honest. You cannot claim that such realism is 'easy'. You will surely be frustrated by it. You may well hope there will be more subtle, even warm moments. But you know all along that this is the work of a remarkably brave, driven, unabashed and very compassionate artist who recorded moments of truly high artist merit. 4 stars

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

01/26/23

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Audience Member

Extraordinary. Absolutely extraordinary.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

11/30/17

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Audience Member

Kirsten Johnson proves herself to be a passionate filmmaker in the cinematography field through some film studying that may have gotten her to watch "The Man with a Moving Camera". The said film couldn't stop being reminded of as I watch this disguised modern remake/update based on the structure. The effect of the update refreshed the 1929 original in more of a fresher sight that asks for more depth this time. It's worth interacting with from time to time when following it up with the films listed at the end to piece one to a presented clip that Johnson made. (A-) (Full review TBD)

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/17/23

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Audience Member

7/9/17 Amazon Prime You need to give this film a little time as it is a little "what the heck is this all about" feel for the first few minutes but then you get the pace and juxtaposition of the vignettes and it becomes very entertaining. Johnson has a wealth of world travel on her resume and she shares that beautifully with the viewers.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

01/12/23

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david l

Cameraperson isn't thematically connected particularly well and some segments are more interesting than the others. However, as far as experiments go, this one is certainly admirable in its ambition, wonderful in its emotion and pleasantly diverse in time and place with more than a couple of beautiful scenes.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

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Kirsten Johnson

Director

Kirsten Johnson

Actor

Roger Phenix

Actor

Gini Reticker

Executive Producer

Abigail Disney

Executive Producer

Kirsten Johnson

Producer

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Synopsis

Cinematographer Kirsten Johnson exposes her many years behind the camera through a memoir made up of decades of footage shot all over the world.

Director: Kirsten Johnson
Producer: Kirsten Johnson, Marilyn Ness
Distributor: Janus Films
Production Co: Big Mouth Productions
Genre: Documentary
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Sep 9, 2016, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Jan 10, 2017
Box Office (Gross USA): $101.1K
Runtime: 1h 42m
Sound Mix: SDDS, Dolby Digital, DTS

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