Ep 4. Last Images of War
- July 6, 1992
Last Images of War, the fourth episode of the fifth season of POV, takes an emotional and poignant look at the impact of war on both soldiers and civilians through the lens of a group of Iraqi photojournalists.
The episode follows the story of Karem, a former Iraqi soldier turned war photographer, who has been documenting the impact of the war on his country for over a decade. However, Karem's own experiences as a soldier make him uniquely aware of the trauma that war inflicts, and his photographs often focus on the human cost of conflict.
Karem is joined by three other photojournalists, all of whom have experienced their own traumas as a result of the war. Ali, who is visually impaired, captures images of the war through his other senses, while Mushtaq and Saliha document the impact of war on children.
As the episode unfolds, we see the photojournalists confront the difficult reality of their work. They are haunted by the images they capture, and struggle with the knowledge that their work may never bring an end to the conflict. Yet, they also find moments of hope and resilience in the communities they document.
The episode features stunning photography from the photojournalists themselves, as well as insights into the process of documenting war at a time when media access is severely restricted. The film also raises poignant questions about the role of war photography in shaping our perceptions of conflict, and the ethics of capturing images of human suffering.
Ultimately, Last Images of War is a powerful reminder of the human cost of war, and the role of art and activism in capturing the realities of our times. It is a must-watch for anyone interested in the power of photography to shape our understanding of the world around us.