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War Photographer

Released Jun 19, 2002 1h 36m Documentary List
81% Tomatometer 26 Reviews 93% Popcornmeter 2,500+ Ratings
For over 20 years, photojournalist James Nachtwey has been visiting war-torn countries such as Kosovo and Rwanda, capturing the destruction on film. While merely an observer, he still feels the immediate effects of the ravaged lands. The stark images are contrasted by Nachtwey's calm reserve as he fends off accusations of exploiting tragedy. Director Christian Frei attaches a small video camera to Nachtwey's still camera for a bird's-eye view of destruction, pain, and ultimately, hope.
War Photographer

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Critics Consensus

War Photographer offers a breathtakingly intimate look at life on the front lines by distilling the horror and terrible beauty captured while paying testament to war's awful cost.

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Critics Reviews

View All (26) Critics Reviews
Edward Guthmann San Francisco Chronicle This film is an act of spiritual faith -- an eloquent, deeply felt meditation on the nature of compassion. Rated: 4/4 Dec 6, 2002 Full Review Marc Savlov Austin Chronicle It's almost too much to watch, and, frankly, I dare anyone to sit through this movie without having to leave the theatre. Rated: 4/5 Nov 3, 2002 Full Review William Snyder Dallas Morning News It's as close as we'll ever come to looking through a photographer's viewfinder as he works. Rated: A- Oct 3, 2002 Full Review Film Threat Rated: 3/5 Dec 6, 2005 Full Review Emanuel Levy EmanuelLevy.Com Rated: 2/5 Aug 12, 2005 Full Review Mel Valentin Movie-Vault.com Rated: 9/10 Nov 20, 2004 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Audience Member Riveting. Eye opening. Moving. Incredible. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 01/23/23 Full Review markus m The subtlety of the film's approach in terms of pacing, music and editing means that it starts out a bit slow and I'd dare say tedious, but as the film progresses it more and more pulls you in as it makes you think about everything it's showing and telling you, and every time you think of a question it somehow manages to answer it within the next few scenes, resulting in a documentary that is nothing short of captivating and thought-provoking whether you completely agree with it or are provoked enough to ask questions of it. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 03/31/23 Full Review Audience Member first movie in this series where i didn't get a feel of the country this was supposed to be from. it's definitely a swiss production, but for the most part it focuses on the horrors from the rest of the world (indonesia, kosovo, west bank). which sorta defeats the purpose of this exercise. anyway this was a good and extremely harrowing travelogue, and it delves deeper into the james nachywey psyche and MO than i expected. watch it on youtube Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 02/12/23 Full Review Audience Member it's a introspective and insightful movie about integrity. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 01/12/23 Full Review Audience Member War Photographer is by no means an easy film to watch, but it certainly is a hauntingly powerful and yet slightly hopeful documentary. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 02/25/23 Full Review Audience Member Slow, but incredibly powerful. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/06/23 Full Review Read all reviews
War Photographer

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Movie Info

Synopsis For over 20 years, photojournalist James Nachtwey has been visiting war-torn countries such as Kosovo and Rwanda, capturing the destruction on film. While merely an observer, he still feels the immediate effects of the ravaged lands. The stark images are contrasted by Nachtwey's calm reserve as he fends off accusations of exploiting tragedy. Director Christian Frei attaches a small video camera to Nachtwey's still camera for a bird's-eye view of destruction, pain, and ultimately, hope.
Director
Christian Frei
Producer
Christian Frei
Distributor
First Run
Genre
Documentary
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Jun 19, 2002, Original
Release Date (Streaming)
Apr 17, 2020
Box Office (Gross USA)
$34.3K
Runtime
1h 36m
Sound Mix
Surround, Dolby Stereo
Aspect Ratio
Flat (1.85:1)