Five to Watch
Wayne Richards has kindly provided a list of five movies relating to legends of our art.
A selection of documentary and street photography films to educate and entertain.
If you are looking for inspiration or just a Friday night film then there are plenty of documentaries that are worth your time. Watching a documentary about a photographer offers an experience beyond simply viewing their images.
Documentaries can provide an insight into the creative process, showing how the artist approaches their craft. Understanding their techniques, motivations, influences, and the challenges they faced can deepen your appreciation of their work. The films often describe the broader historical and cultural context that the photographer was working in that can reveal a new perspective on familiar images.
Many documentaries explore deeper ethical and philosophical questions about the role of photography in society, such as the ethics of capturing suffering, the power dynamics between subject and photographer, and the impact of photography on memory and history.
Alongside the narrative or commentary, the visual storytelling in these films can be incredibly inspiring, providing new ideas and helping viewers connect with photography on a more profound level.
Tish – (2023). Directed by Paul Sng. Duration 90 mins.
A moving and poignant look at the life and work of British social documentary photographer Tish Murtha. Having studied under David Hurn in the 1970s, Murtha returned to her home to capture the struggles of working-class communities in the North of England. There then followed a five-year spell in London where Murtha produced work with Brian Griffin, Peter Marlow, and Bill Brandt covering the sex industry around Soho. Sadly, during her lifetime, Murtha never received the recognition her work deserved. A superb portrait and powerful tribute to an artist deeply committed to social justice, whose work remains a vital commentary on inequality and working-class life.
Seeing Daylight: The Photography of Dorothy Bohm (2018). Directed by Richard Shaw. Duration 45 mins.
A short documentary exploring the life and work of one of Britain’s finest street photographers. Directed with a sensitive touch, the film delves into Bohm’s journey from her early days as a refugee to becoming one of the doyennes of photography. Through interviews, archival footage, and a rich showcase of her work, the documentary paints a vivid portrait of Bohm’s unique ability to capture the essence of humanity in her images. A moving tribute to an artist with a gift for "seeing daylight" in both literal and metaphorical terms, as she illuminated ordinary life with a gentle, empathetic lens, making it a must-watch for photography enthusiasts and art lovers alike.
Finding Vivian Mayer (2013). Directed By John Maloof and Charlie Siskel. Duration 83 mins.
A compelling documentary that uncovers the fascinating life and work of Vivian Maier, whose extraordinary street photography was discovered posthumously. The film follows director John Maloof's journey as he uncovers Maier’s extensive collection of undeveloped film rolls at an auction.
The documentary explores Maier’s dual life as a reclusive nanny and a prolific street photographer whose work remained largely unknown until after her death. Finding Vivian Maier is part detective story and part tribute to a woman with a unique eye for capturing candid moments in everyday life.
In No Great Hurry: 13 Lessons in Life with Saul Leiter (2013). Directed by Tomas Leach. Duration 75 mins.
The photographer Saul Leiter is known for his vibrant street work and pioneering use of colour. Rather than being a traditional biography, this film adopts a more meditative approach, allowing Leiter’s musings on art and life to unfold gently. With its understated pace and poetic visuals, In No Great Hurry beautifully mirrors Leiter’s own subtle and deeply human photographic style. Pour yourself a drink, sit back, relax, and enjoy Leiter's subtle genius in finding art in the ordinary.
McCullin – (2012). Directed by David and Jacqui Morris. Duration 91 mins.
A powerful, revealing, and candid documentary about the life and work of celebrated photographer Don McCullin. The film blends archive footage, interviews, and images to tell the riveting story of a photographer whose work documented some of the most horrific moments of modern history. What sets McCullin apart is the photographer's introspective reflections on the emotional toll of his work, the ethics of photojournalism, and his struggles with guilt and responsibility. It makes for an unsettling but ultimately rewarding viewing.