Movie Reflection -- Sarah Katz-Hyman

War reporting is hard. War photography is harder. Reporters can easily tell a compelling story from their hotel rooms or safe zones. For photographers to have a compelling story they must venture beyond their hotel room into a place that tests human nature, free will, and journalism ethics. War Photographer details the life of a man who seemingly seems to have these issues in balance as he documents some of the most horrific and unimaginable human tragedies of the past few decades. But under the surface the movie has left more to be desired.

James Nachtwey, the soft-spoken subject of the film, who is often casting a chillingly blank stare, internalizes much of what he sees. The machete scars, the famine, the burning homes, the absolute feelings of horror any normal human would experience come across not in his actions but in his art. He says in the film that he had to find the fine line of being removed from the situation while still being involved. Often as journalists we say that we have no part in what we witness. But this film argues we perhaps have the biggest part. If not for what we do, who hears about war and death and hate and fear? Nachtwey stays surprisingly idealistic and optimistic, still believing peace and understanding may overcome the world. Many of his contemporaries think this is because he believes so strongly in what he does that one day, the world will take notice. Not the critics, they already have. Nachtwey is the recipient of many photography awards. Rather he wants humanity to take notice. But at what cost?

The film brings up a major issue, that in my mind is the most pressing of war journalism. At what point do we stop being journalists and start being human beings? When can you no longer stand by snapping pictures of a murder in progress and instead plead for a man’s life? It seems that many in the field of war journalism sometimes wish for a huge scene or a bloody massacre so the photos are more intense and the stories more compelling. The movie merely scratched the surface on an enormous ethical issue in the journalism community.

I do not think it is okay for journalists to stand by and watch a home get burned to the ground. I do not think it is okay to see a man get torn to pieces by a machete. I do not think it is okay to traverse a refugee camp with no sense of humility. Nachtwey seems to do a decent job at balancing the impossible task of being transparent, unbiased, and a human being. It takes someone with an incredible passion to commit their life to this profession. To engross their senses in a world of hate and destruction.

For many journalists they can do this, because they know they will go home at night. Or they know they have it better. Or, better yet, they have a family to relay on. For Nachtwey, it seemed he had little regard for these things. Putting his life on the line daily to get the best shot. He never married.

Nachtwey poured his whole self into his work and his job. This is perhaps the only way to be a great war photographer. When all your being and existence centers around such horrible tragedies, but also such great promise, you can truly focus on finding the balance between being a journalist and being a human.