In many of our respective nations, we take news and the photography that accompanies it for granted. We expect to be shown anything and everything that is happening in the world around us. Our daily lives are so filled with photography; everything from our friend's meals to events from around the globe. In Taliban controlled Afghanistan, this was not the case. A media blackout was ordered, preventing photojournalists from documenting the events and history of the country. It was not until wartime when photojournalism became possible again.
In a recent interview with Artifact Uprising, filmmaker Alexandria Bombach gives some insight into the production of her feature-length film documenting the lives of four Afghan photojournalists and the uncertain future they face after the withdrawal of coalition forces. After a short visit in 2012, Bombach decided that more time was needed to fully tell the story, and used Kickstarter to fund a second trip of two solid months of filming.
The documentary is playing at film festivals around the U.S., and the full interview can be seen over at Artifact Uprising.
How important do you believe photography, photojournalism in particular, is for human society? What do you feel are the downsides to the loss or lack of freedom of press in certain parts of the world?
At 1:58 is the police officer telling her to cover her head? Serious respect to these individuals, as they both said, they will likely be the subject of retribution in the near future.