Review of War Photographer (2001) by Conor N — 17 Apr 2008

[font=Times New Roman][size=3]James Nachtwey has to be one of the most narcissistic people I have ever come across. I thought this movie would focus on the trials and tribulations of the many victims of war and ethnic conflicts but instead it is a tribute to a guy that I have never heard of that borders on a cult-like worship. If this guy is so good, why are the people that speak of his many accolades from Germany? Why does he work for a magazine that I have never heard of? James Nachtwey talks about how brave he is and how he goes to locations that no other photographer goes to and then you see a shot with 20-30 photographers, all of who have put their lives in danger. These guys are just as ?brave? as he is but you don?t see them giving quotes about their ?innate ability to connect with people?. I saw way too many shots of him packing his bags or coughing in a sulfur mine. Are we really supposed to feel bad for a guy that owns a loft in Manhattan that just spent 5 minutes taking pictures of guys that work at the mine 40-60 hours a week? I?m not saying that Nachtwey isn?t good but I am saying that he is no where near as good as he thinks. [/size][/font].

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[size=3][font=Times New Roman]Nachtwey must have a few screws loose because he truly believes that he is the only one that gives a voice to the poor and displaced people of this world. He also thinks that he has somehow ended wars with his pictures. Correct me if I?m wrong but he hasn?t had any impact on any conflict. He talks about himself as if he is a deity and makes grandiose claims that aren?t even supported in his own documentary. One example that comes to mind is that he sees a one armed, one legged father that lives on the train tracks in Indonesia. He took some pictures that were published in Life magazine and is seen opening a letter where a reader offers to give the father $20 a month. I expected to see footage of Nachtwey going back to Indonesia to help this poor guy out but of course that never happened. If you want to see a poorly done documentary about a guy with a massively over-inflated ego, you are in luck. [/font][/size].