Review of The Bang Bang Club (2011) by Bill I — 21 Apr 2011

The mentality of the combat photographers, the subject of this fast paced compelling film, infuses the point of view of the film: get to the action (brutal violence between the Inkatha Zulus and the Mandela-backing ANC just prior to the end of Apartheid in South Africa), get the pictures, then get home and unwind safely away, trying to not think about what you just saw and its implications or solutions.

The job of the combat photographer is to take the best picture he/she can, and sell it, maybe even win a Pulitzer. This film is based on real people (4 photographers in the Bang Bang Club). After the film, they brought to the stage the director, actors and the real guy upon whom the main character was based.

He moved to a safer line of photography 12 years ago after being shot for the fourth time. Bottom line, compelling movie to watch, not much plot, and interesting ponder: what is the responsibility of any journalist beyond just getting the picture and story.