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The Picture Taker

Play trailer Poster for The Picture Taker Released Oct 14, 2022 1h 20m Biography Documentary Play Trailer Watchlist
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Tomatometer 3 Reviews Popcornmeter Fewer than 50 Ratings
The vibrant life of Ernest Withers was anything but black and white. Soldier, police officer, civil rights activist, and paid FBI informant. It's an unlikely resume for an African American photographer in the 1960s, but complex times spawn complicated stories. From his Memphis studio, Withers developed nearly 2 million images that came to illustrate America's civil rights stories. But perhaps the push and pull of history is best illuminated by Withers' lesser-known work, decades of secret FBI service uncovered only after his death. From the flashpoint of an American saga, The Picture Taker brings us a tale from in front of, and behind, the camera.

Critics Reviews

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Beandrea July New York Times Ultimately, the film immerses viewers in Withers’s considerable storytelling abilities as an image-maker at the same time that it examines his motives for taking those very pictures — that tension is what makes for an engrossing watch. Oct 14, 2022 Full Review Jared Mobarak Hey, Have You Seen ...? Bertelsen constructs his film as a resource for context without passing any judgment. [We] absorb what's said, weigh the scales between good and evil, and bask in the artistry that stands up to both. Hero or villain, no one can deny [Withers'] talent. Rated: 6/10 Jan 27, 2023 Full Review Michael Clark Epoch Times High praise needs to be lavished upon [director Phil] Bertelsen for not cherry-picking the facts and for presenting a warts-and-all profile of a well-intending but significantly flawed man. Rated: 4/5 Oct 20, 2022 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Ray This gives a clear(er) view of history that we all thought we knew about. It also serves to help understand the roots of some of the problems in Memphis today - police treatment of Black residents & justice/fairness for rich vs. poor. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/12/23 Full Review Read all reviews
The Picture Taker

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Movie Info

Synopsis The vibrant life of Ernest Withers was anything but black and white. Soldier, police officer, civil rights activist, and paid FBI informant. It's an unlikely resume for an African American photographer in the 1960s, but complex times spawn complicated stories. From his Memphis studio, Withers developed nearly 2 million images that came to illustrate America's civil rights stories. But perhaps the push and pull of history is best illuminated by Withers' lesser-known work, decades of secret FBI service uncovered only after his death. From the flashpoint of an American saga, The Picture Taker brings us a tale from in front of, and behind, the camera.
Director
Phil Bertelsen
Producer
Lise Yasui
Distributor
ITVS
Genre
Biography, Documentary
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Oct 14, 2022, Limited
Runtime
1h 20m