Video Details
The war in the South Pacific, a country doctor in Colorado, victims of industrial pollution in a Japanese village--all were captured in unforgettable photographs by the legendary W. Eugene Smith. This program showcases over 600 of Smith's stunning photographs and includes a dramatic recreation in which actor Peter Riegert (Crossing Delancey, Local Hero) portrays the artist using dialogue taken from Smith's diaries and letters. Interwoven through the program are archival footage and interviews with family and friends of this brilliant, complicated man, whose work developed from twin themes of common humanity and social responsibility.
Synopsis
W. Eugene Smith: Photography Made Difficult is a unique documentary that reenacts the life of the revolutionary artist. Peter Reigert plays the Midwestern photographer whose images defined the times. Smith began taking pictures when he was a teenager. Though dissatisfied with his early work, he kept developing his talent. By the end of his career, he had worked for many important publications, including Newsweek, Life, and Collier's. Smith was in Okinawa on D-Day. He captured indelible images of the Great Depression, New York City, and the life of a country doctor. Photography Made Difficult stitches together newsreel footage, interviews, and dramatic retelling to weave a story of one of the best-known photographers in the world. ~ Sarah Ing, All Movie Guide
