Watch Henri Dauman: Looking Up

Henri Dauman: Looking Up from 2018 showcases the remarkable life and career of famed photographer and filmmaker Henri Dauman. The documentary, directed by Peter Kenneth Jones, provides a unique perspective into Dauman's artistic vision and personal life, offering an exclusive look into a man who has captured some of the most iconic moments of the 20th century through his lens.

Born in Paris in 1933, Dauman migrated to America as a young boy, settling in New York City. But the horrors of his childhood - which included losing his family in the Holocaust - drove him to seek solace in his love for photography. He honed his skills at the New School for Social Research, where he learned from some of the greats in photography, including Milton H. Greene and Richard Avedon. His hard work paid off when he landed a job as a staff photographer for LIFE magazine in 1957, where he became known for his striking images of celebrities, artists, and politicians.

Throughout his career, Dauman had the opportunity to photograph some of the biggest names in show business, from Marilyn Monroe to Elvis Presley, from Marlene Dietrich to Andy Warhol. However, it was his work capturing the Civil Rights movement in the South that truly set him apart. His photographs captured powerful images of segregation, violence, and the struggle for freedom and equality, making him one of the few white photographers to document the movement.

Henri Dauman: Looking Up also highlights Dauman's skilled work in the film industry, where he created over 250 newsreels and documentaries for CBS, ABC and NBC. He worked on films like "This Is Your Life" and "Queen for a Day," and even directed the cult classic "The Moviemakers" in 1968, which portrayed the creative struggles of a group of filmmakers in Hollywood.

The film also presents Dauman's experience as a Holocaust survivor, highlighting his work with the Simon Wiesenthal Center and The Museum of Jewish Heritage. The documentary delves deep into Dauman's personal experiences during World War II and the impact that it had on his art and his life's mission to never forget and to protect the memories of those who perished.

Henri Dauman: Looking Up is not only an ode to Dauman's remarkable career but also a testament to his unwavering spirit and dedication to his art. The film includes interviews with Dauman, his family, and friends, providing an intimate portrait of the man behind the camera. The documentary also features insights from colleagues like Alessandra Stanley and Marvin Kalb as they describe the impact and significance of Dauman's work.

With stunning photographs and film footage, Henri Dauman: Looking Up is a captivating portrait of a man who was more than a photographer; he was a visionary who used his craft to tell stories and document history. The documentary reminds us that Dauman's photographs will continue to provoke and inspire long after he is gone.

Henri Dauman: Looking Up is a 2020 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 27 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.8.