Week 3 – Connection

Yesterday’s talk by guest lecturer Kyla Brettle really got me thinking about how inspirational documentary filmmakers are, especially ones that put themselves in uncomfortable and sometimes life-threatening situations, just to create a vivid piece of media used to educate the public about a specific issue that needs addressing. In saying this, of course there are documentaries that are created on more hedonistic things (think popstar tour documentaries), but i’m talking about those really hard-hitting ones.

One of my favourite VICE documentaries is this one based on the Islamic State.

I’m under the impression that a VICE journalist was granted access to the Islamic State, which I find absolutely mental. Imagine the fear that Medyan Dairieh would have felt as he navigated his way through situations with these radicalists as an outsider; as a Westerner. Journalists commitment to their craft is truly inspiring, and something that I find inspirational and an important motivational tool in helping me work towards a profession that I love going to everyday as well as creating work that I can proudly attach my name to.