The past couple of months I’ve been on a kick to find and watch as many photography related films as possible. In the process I decided to note and share my top 5 favorite photography related films. So here they are…
5. Flags of Our Fathers (Drama)
I concede this likely won’t be shared as top five contender by others, but the reason why it makes my top five list is because it exemplifies the power of an image. After seeing this movie it inspired me to author my article on “The Power of Photography“. The movie, directed by Clint Eastwood, provides a perspective of photographies strengths, weaknesses, political and cultural malleability. The movie exemplifies perfectly how an iconic image can tell a story factually, fictionally and interpretively.
4. Rear Window (Thriller)
An Alfred Hitchcock classic of a wheelchair bound photographer who is convinced he’s witnessed his neighbor commit murder. Truly a cinematic gem and one of Hitchcock’s all time best.
3. Pecker (Comedy)
I’ve never been a huge fan of John Waters films, but this one is hillarious and takes an enjoyable swipe at the art world. Edward Furlong plays Pecker who becomes an overnight sensation in the photography art world from his photos of his odd family. Although the most mainstream of John Waters films that I’ve seen, it’s still John Waters so expect the unexpected.
2. City of God (
Cidade de Deus) (Drama)
Based on a book by Paulo Lins, the movie follows Buscapé (AKA Rocket) and Zé Pequeno (AKA Li’l Zéwho) as they grow up in one of Rio de Janeiro’s most dangerous neighborhoods. Buscapé discovers photography while Zé Pequeno becomes a drug dealer and gang leader. The story is incredibly powerful. I thought about this movie for over a week after seeing it.
1. War Photographer (Documentary)
A documentary on James Nachtwey, an extremely talented, driven and famous war photographer. Not the lightest of films, but it is incredibly powerful and inspiring. After watching the film I felt extremely small, yet driven to do something more to make a difference… albeit outside of a war zone.
If you have others that are your favorite and/or you think they are worthy of consideration for the Top 5 let me know.
On the horizon:
Capa (2007)
In Production:
“The story of famous photographer Robert Capa and his relationship with fellow photographer Gerda Taro during the Spanish Civil War.”
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Top 5 Photography Related Movies at Imaging Insider
on July 10 2007
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David Selders
on July 10 2007
Hey Jim, I’ll have to check a couple of those out. I did notice two films that I enjoy missing from your list. The first is Harrisons’s Flowers. Harrison is a photojournalist who leaves his family behind to do a story in war torn Yugoslavia. He goes missing and is assumed dead, his wife unable to accept this goes to find him.
The second is Salvador. A photojournalist travels to El Salvador to chronicle the military dictatorship of the early 80’s.
Ernst
on July 10 2007
Here’s another one: “Blow Up” http://imdb.com/title/tt0060176/
Andrew Ferguson
on July 10 2007
You truly are an evil man, Jim. Not only am I totally going to have to see all these, but I’m going to have to delete my half-finished post on the exact same subject
Out of curiousity, what do you think of “Fur: An Imaginary Portrait of Diane Arbus”?
jim
on July 10 2007
David I have heard of “Salvador” and was planning on watching it. I’ve not heard of “Harrison’s Flowers”. I’ll definitely look into that one.
Ernst “Blow Up” sounds good. I’ll definitely add that to my list of movies to see.
Andrew LOL I try not to be too evil. You should still post your list. I’d be curious to see it. BTW I’ve yet to see the Diane Arbus film. I need to.
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on July 10 2007
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John W.
on July 11 2007
Jim, I asked a friend who’s more knowledgeable than I on this topic who came up with:
Under Fire, Salvador, Blow Up, and La Dolce Vita (and War Photographer to make five).
I might add “Chased by the Light” on DVD by Jim Brandenburg.
Richard
on July 11 2007
yeah War Photographer is very graphic. I wouldn’t watch it again but it is very well done.
jim
on July 11 2007
Great tips John. I’ll definitely look up Chased by the Light and Under Fire among the others.
Richard I didn’t think War Photographer was as much graphic as it was conceptually disturbing seeing examples of human interaction at its worst. Looking past that the larger message and efforts kept my focus keeping me from obsessing too much on the darker elements. As a someone very passionate about photography I was far more enveloped on some of the peripheral elements of the movie (what were his settings while shooting, positioning, composition, etc.) in contrast to my wife who saw the subject material as the main focus only. She didn’t last the movie as it was too depressing for her. In that sense the movie definitely isn’t for everyone.
Chris Heard
on July 23 2007
Photographing Fairies…fiction inspired by the Cottingham fairy hoax. Beautifully photographed period piece with a moving score. It has some interesting things to say about the power of photography in our culture.
jim
on July 23 2007
Chris great recommendation. I’ll have to look into this one.
Thomas Hawk
on April 28 2008
Jim, a great list. I added Pecker to my Netflix queue.
I put my own together here: http://thomashawk.com/2008/04/what-are-your-favorite-photography.html
Best,
Tom
Damien Franco
on April 28 2008
I had done one a little while back. 10 movies about photography, http://www.yourphototips.com/2008/02/12/top-10-movies-about-photographers/