Film Analysis Through a Time Machine

When it comes to film, I like to place myself as far as possible from a “film critic”. In fact my Letterbox is dedicated to mocking photography students who invalidate the comments of whoever dislikes Hotel Budapest. My hipster friends made photography a bit cringe to me. I hide my knowledge about the mechanics of a canon so I am not confused with a snob bragging about an analog nikon. In the Photography world there is little to no space for “better” or “ worst”. However just because there is no comparison it doesn't mean there is no competition. In the movie Civil War one can see how competitive photojournalists are for the shot of the president's last moments. Different from other careers, even in a competitive environment there is space for fun, kindness and respect. In the scene Tony and Lee are driving to D.C, “the final destination”, they are goofing around instead of racing. Throughout the whole movie, Jessie and Lee watch out for each other's camera, they never share a shot out of respect and admiration for the other’s work.

I speak loudly about the Civil War as a kid raised by photojournalists. In this essay I am using my voice to write about photojournalism and not about film. Maybe without passion or experience in photojournalism, Civil War might be just another action movie to one's eye. The suiting but contrasting sound track comforted me, even with the screaming and chaotic background noise. That chaos is nostalgic. Sitting in the movies, I time traveled to when I would tag along on my parents field trips. Hanging out with al jazeera, reuters, the guardian in hotel lobbies. The way photographers properly wrapped their camera strap around their wrist instead of shooting from their neck. Non verbal communication. Car camping on the side of the road. details in the movies unlocked memories from my early years. From when I learned that journalists have a way of always getting what they want through kindness, and photographers are fun, with a big heart. Regardless of anything, photojournalists always care for the people.

I left the movies full of notes, not critics, but realizations that my childhood was not only unique to a child but also to a human.The movie spoke to me because it woke the feelings I have regarding this profession. I always thought that my childhood was different because few kids had a silly dad who took his kid to work, but in reality it was unique because few parents have press passes. Press pass is an immunity granted, not guaranteed. With a press pass I saw the passion and faith a fulfilled life comes out of photojournalism.

Dad, I would like to think that you would’ve liked to have a movie made about your job, but you would’ve hated Civil War. If there was a time machine, you would be next to me, picking on the fact that Jessie was wearing a 300 dollar shoe while running for her life. You would have said “why is it taking so long for them to shoot the president? no bullet proof car is that fast. You gotta aim for the tires! Always aim for the tires, Alice!”, you would have hated that the photographers used nikon. But above all you would have hated the fact that you will never get to shoot an American Civil war

Love,

Alice Mondin

Thoughts...?