"A death unrecorded is a death forgotten." — A six-part short film series explores the long-term psychological effects of documenting moments of conflict, from the civil war in Syria to domestic violence in New York.

“A death unrecorded is a death forgotten.” These are the words of Joao Silva, one of six conflict photographers chronicled in a six-part series of documentary shorts, Conflict. It’s the latest work by New York-based production house Redfitz Films, designed as a series of monologues by prolific photographers of different forms of conflict.

The films explore the harrowing psychological toll conflict takes on those who feel a responsibility to shoot it, and their varying responses to whether photographing scenes of war and violence have had any real power.

Screen Shot 2016-01-12 at 10.16.09

Silva talks of the personal cost of his experiences as part of the Bang-Bang Club, the photographer collective that documented the very end of Apartheid in early ’90s South Africa. Photojournalist Pete Muller describes his process, Donna Ferrato explains how a chance documentation inside an abusive home led to a career photographing domestic violence, and Robin Hammond talks of the horrors he has witnessed while chronicling the thousands of victims of rape in the Congo. The three speak of the value of conflict photography, and the need to educate the Western world about violence that would otherwise go ignored.

But photographers Nicole Tung and Eros Haogland come at their profession differently. Tung speaks through tears as she recalls her experiences photographing the conflicts in Syria alongside the late James Foley, killed by ISIS militants in 2014. “I have this privilege to see humanity at its best and worst and everything in between,” she says. “But I don’t think doing this is ever worth your life.” Haogland echoes similar sentiments, recalling the many friends and family he has lost while photographing the drug wars and political corruption in Mexico, and pondering the usefulness of his profession. “My pictures don’t speak, they whisper.”

Provocative, unflinching and cinematic, Conflict is available to watch in its entirety at Redfitz.com

Enjoyed this article? Like Huck on Facebook or follow us on Twitter.

Latest on Huck

A forlorn portrait of a Maine fishing village forced to modernise
Culture

A forlorn portrait of a Maine fishing village forced to modernise

Sealskin — Jeff Dworsky’s debut monograph ties his own life on Deer Isle and elegiac family story with ancient Celtic folklore.

Written by: Miss Rosen

Subversive shots of Catholic schoolgirls in ‘80s New York
Culture

Subversive shots of Catholic schoolgirls in ‘80s New York

Catholic Girl — When revisiting her alma mater, Andrea Modica noticed schoolgirls finding forms of self-expression beyond the dress code. Her new photobook documents their intricate styles.

Written by: Isaac Muk

We need to talk about super gonorrhoea
Activism

We need to talk about super gonorrhoea

Test & vaccinate — With infection rates of ‘the clap’ seemingly on the up, as well as a concerning handful of antibiotic resistant cases, Nick Levine examines what can be done to stem the STI’s rise.

Written by: Nick Levine

5 decades ago, Larry Sultan & Mike Mandel redefined photography
Photography

5 decades ago, Larry Sultan & Mike Mandel redefined photography

Evidence — Between 1975 and 1977, the two photographers sifted through thousands of images held by official institutions, condensing them into a game-changing sequence.

Written by: Miss Rosen

Warm portraits of English football fans before the Premier League
Culture

Warm portraits of English football fans before the Premier League

Going to the Match — In the 1991/1992 season, photographer Richard Davis set out to understand how the sport’s supporters were changing, inadvertently capturing the end of an era.

Written by: Isaac Muk

Tbilisi nightclubs to reopen for New Year’s Eve after 40-day strike
Music

Tbilisi nightclubs to reopen for New Year’s Eve after 40-day strike

Dancefloor resistance — Georgian techno havens including BASSIANI and Left Bank have announced parties tonight, having shuttered in solidarity with protests against the country’s government.

Written by: Isaac Muk

Sign up to our newsletter

Issue 81: The more than a game issue

Buy it now