Gun Culture

Lately guns have been part of the headlines on the other side of the pond. With the recent shooting in Aurora, Colorado and just a few days ago Oak Creek, Wisconsin hitting the British News Channels. I don't know enough about the gun laws in America to be able to argue whether the laws need rethinking or not and that's not what this post about. It is however got me thinking about the projects and documentary films I have looked at over the years. Two that stand out for me as defining the gun culture in America are Zed Nelson Gun Nation and Michael Moore Bowling For Columbine. Zed Nelsons project doesn't delve into the stereotypes expected from documentary essays on guns and gun culture in the States, there is no gang-banger flaunting his stash of weapons, no white supremacist in camouflage in a field doing combat training or a lost teen bullied and influenced by violent video games. Instead Zed Nelson looks at the commercial side of fire arms, the NRA and the law abiding citizens that own a range of weapons. The series delves into how something that is seen as a symbol of freedom is also something that is out of control with around 28,000 people losing their lives to fire arms a year[1] The essay makes you sit back and try and understand Americas fascination with such a deadly item. Michael Moores award winning documentary Bowling For Columbine on the other hand questions the need for fire arms and why people can get their hands on them with ease. In one scene Mr Moore walks into a bank and acquires a rifle for just setting up a bank account with said bank. The film came about when Columbine High School, the teachers and students fell victim to a shooting spree and massacre by two of its very own students on April 20th 1999. Both projects are worth having a look over if you haven't all ready as they will broaden your mind on gun culture in the States and bring you away from the stereotypes we are used to seeing and hearing about.

[1] http://www.americanfirearms.org/images/Chart__big.gif 

Time For Some Political Music

I have always been into music, unfortunately I am not musically talented, so these wont be videos of me play guitar or singing. What I do like on the other hand is a good tune or two that have meaning behind them, a point on a political, social or economical issue. These sort tracks have been missing from the charts, with No.1 hit singles like this "Hey, I just met you, And this is crazy, But here's my number, So call me, maybe?" What I am hoping for is more tracks like the following by Plan B to hit the air waves, music that questions current situations happening through out the world. I have included two more examples of this that haven't made the air waves or the television screen. These videos are not safe for work or for young ears. Enough of me talking hope you enjoy.

6th Rifles

These are some of the portraits from my latest project yet to be titled but this section is called 6th Rifles. The project will go beyond just the 6th Rifles and explore other British Armed Forces Regiment and Corps. Once I have settled down in London I plain on starting the next part of the project. So keep an eye out for the next update.

Armadillo

I have been watching a lot of documentaries films as of late, partly due to the fact I wouldn't mind venturing down the route of becoming a documentary film maker as well as the a photographer. I also have been watching a fair few documentaries on the war in Afghanistan, such as Restrepo which I have talked a little about already, Armadillo was the next one on my list to watch, and I finally got round to watching it today. 

The feature-length follows the men of Guard Hussars Regiment of the Danish Army, on their first mission in Helmand Province, at the Forward Operating Base Armadillo. Instead of showing the day to day chores of the soldiers, it shows the psychological effect on the soldiers after certain events throughout their six month stay in Afghanistan, each having their own reaction and ways of coping with these events. As mentioned before the men of the Guard Hussars are Danish and I think this makes the documentary even more interesting as people relate the war in Afghanistan to America and British armed forces and it is nice to see the war from another countries point of view.

Once again the trailer is available by clicking on the image below.

The Interrupters

The Interrupters is a  multi-award winning feature-length documentary film by director Steve James and producer Alex Kotlowitz. It follows three Violence Interrupters from Chicago trying to stop the ever growing violence and death in their neighbourhood, they have all once come from a gang related background and this enables them get close and personal with the troubled youths of their community and try and help them change.

The filming does not show any violence and death except twice through out the two hours but with interviews and various establishing and detailed shots you get a clear look at just how bad the area has become for people of all ages. I feel the whole film was shot in a fantastic way and without the three main characters being able to go where many people are unable to we get a true insight in what is going on in Chicago and the rest of America with youth and gang culture within African-America and Latino communities.

This is a truly remarkable documentary that makes your feel for the communities caught up with in the crossfire as well as the people committing these violent acts and the Interrupters for doing what they can to try and prevent the violence.

Click on the picture below to watch the trailer and more information on The Interrupters website.

Restrepo

I finally got round to watching Restrepo by Sebastian Junger and Tim Hetherington. The documentary follows the men of Battle Company 2nd of the 503rd Infantry Regiment, 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team of the U.S Army and their stay at Out Post Restrepo in the Korengal Valley, showing how the platoon cope with the day to day life in Afghanistan, and in one of the most dangerous areas for the U.S Military to be based. For me this feature-length was a great insight into military life on the front-line, the way the documentary is filmed immerses the audience into the combat, hard labour and chores of the solders, making the viewer feel as if they have been with the men from the start, seeing their blood, sweat and tears, which I think makes this an award winning documentary film. 

The image below has a link to the Restrepo website where there is more information on the film, the solders involved and an extensive selection of interviews to watch over, while you wait for your DVD to arrive in the post.

Occupy London Stock Exchange

Occupy Wall Street is a demonstration, sit in and protest against the corporations, banks and governments that have been a major part in this economical crisis that has led to millions of people, world wide being jobless, homeless and feeling the strain of the financial meltdown. All the while the 1% have still managed to walk around with millions of pounds, dollars and euros in their own pockets, the 99% are struggling in this situation. The events that took place in New York City over a month ago, has spread across the world. Thousands of people have taken to the streets to show their support for Occupy Wall Street and to protest for their rights and to help make a change that many people feel the 99% deserve. 

The other week I went back to London for a few days and decided to pop along to the Occupy London Stock Exchange camp at St. Paul’s. I didn't take many photographs as I was just wanted to see this event for myself and take in the atmosphere. Here are two photographs that I shot on the day using a Bronica SQA. I plan on going back up to London when I get some free time and continue taking some more portraits of the protesters, and maybe creating a mini-project of this event in London.

Documentary Films

Lately I have been watching a fair few documentary films, these are partly the reason my political, economical and environmental views, opinions and interest has become stronger than ever before. As you can see from the DVD covers and posters below, they haven't been films that slightly prod the issue but they go head first into the issue, showing the true colours of some people, sometimes grim and horrible, sometimes destructive and greedy.

The images below each have link to the trailer for the film.