Review: The Bang Bang Club

The Bang Bang Club is a film based on a true events of the apartheid system in South Africa. Steven Silver was the director of the film.

The Bang Bang Club, a group of photojournalists in South Africa capturing the devastating events that are happening there between 1990 and 1994. The film shows a real edge to the civil war as it captures a realistic view of events. Kevin Carter, Greg Marinovich, Ken Oosterbroek, and João Silva were all members of The Bang Bang Club, these people were reenacted in the film by Taylor Kitsch, Ryan Phillippe, Frank Rautenbach and Neels Van Jaarsveld. Greg Marionovich and Kevin Carter both won Pulitzer Prizes in their years of being a part of the bang bang club, the pictures that won the prizes consisted of  a suspected Zulu being burned and killed and also a vulture stalking a child. These images are extremely powerful in society.

I found the film very educational since I new little about the war, it definitely gave me an insight into what had previously happened. I found the film very moving yet disturbing at times, since it gives a graphical view and image. Graphical images gives a powerful image which engages the audience with it’s deep messages.

The film also shows the dangers of being a photojournalist and the bravery needed. This is inspirational for aspiring photojournalists, it shows the advantages and disadvantages of the job.  It gives a real sense of the amazing things a photojournalist can capture and also how a photo can change the view of a situation.

The Bang Bang Club is a deep film filed with situations which make your stomach churn, however I would recommend this film for a day which you feel as if your brain is working. The film is the opposite of a light hearted film and needs much concentration.

The film constants of a balance of war, love, friendship, death and heartache. It’s a truly amazing film which deserves much more credit than it has received. If you decide you will watch the film, enjoy!