From 1990 to 1994, South Africa was in a bloody storm, with violent clashes between supporters of various political parties. The apartheid South African government secretly used the Zulu-dominated black nationalist party "Inkata Liberal Party" to fight against Mandela-led ANC by tricking and agitation. Thousands died.
The film tells the story of the "Gunshot Club" four field photojournalists (Greg, Ken, Joe, Kevin) risking their lives to visit the battlefield and the camp to record the truth. They use alcohol, music and even drugs to release tension outside of work and their living conditions under external pressure.
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They used the professional attitude and selfless spirit of war photojournalists to explore the source of contradictions in South Africa's civil war, obtained the tragic truth of the struggle, and even touched the mastermind behind the split among black people.
Gregg's interview with the Inkata Liberal Party at the Southsford Workers' Camp in Soweto, to learn about the reasons for the Inkata Liberal Party's riots, how important it is to dismantle the demon image of the Inka Party, and finally pacify the ANC and Inkata The Liberal Party struggle has a very positive meaning.
Greg's interview with the Inkata Liberal Party on the attack on Tugela Street in the next town has evidence of manipulation by government forces.
At the same time, the four of them also jointly witnessed the persecution of the Xhosa people by the Inkata Liberal Party and the Zulu people by the ANC. The struggle between parties has escalated into hostility between black ethnic groups under the apartheid government conspiracy.
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The precious photos taken by the "Gunshot Club" were recognized by the Pulitzer Prize, the highest honor in the press, but also brought them an unbearable price - doubts, misunderstandings, inner struggles.
Greg's Pulitzer Prize-winning photo shows the ANC burning and killing a black Zulu man near Irajen train station in Soweto town.
Before this photo was awarded, Greg was summoned by the police and asked him to testify in court or he would be arrested. However, once he appeared in court, Lei Ruger would "stand in line" in this fight, that is to say, bring the enemy of the fight, so Greg Hidden for a while.
He avoided an arrest crisis by becoming a public figure when the photo was awarded, but was accused of being a spy for the apartheid South African government and satirizing the infighting among blacks. In this way, the fact that a life was exchanged became a tool of political struggle, and Greg became a victim of it.
Kevin also won a Pulitzer Prize for his photo of the girl and the vulture in the town of Sultan Hamlet.
The hunger, hopelessness, and waiting for death expressed in this photo moved the viewer... However, not everyone likes the cruelty in the photo. "Did Kevin rescue the girl in the photo?" It has become a public concern. "So close to suffering, why don't you do something to help the weak?" The voice of doubt pushed the recorders to the high platform of moral judgment.
This is indeed a difficult question in terms of human nature, but for those war correspondents who have made great contributions to peace, I really don't understand where the courage and peace of mind of the spectators who did nothing to criticize and criticize them?
—Then—
Kevin fell under the guns of public opinion in the midst of nowhere to stay, indebtedness, drug hallucinations, the memory of dead bodies, anger, and pain.
Ken was tragically shot and killed during an interview about the riots near Kumalo Street in the town of Sokosha, and he dedicated himself to the cause of peace in South Africa. This is how war photographers trade their lives for reality. Maybe many people don't understand why they are still thinking about aperture and composition in the hail of bullets. In Kevin's words, it can probably be explained, "For a bad thing, you may think about doing your best, and we are taking a picture and showing it to the world."
On April 27, 1994, South Africa held its first general election regardless of race, resulting in a Constituent Assembly and a new government. In the same year, South Africa ended the apartheid system and passed a bill to protect the rights of blacks, and then rejoined the Commonwealth. Peace has come to this war-torn land.
Joe and Gruger continue to film and document where peace is needed. And should we also give these heroes who are chasing peace with their lives a peaceful public opinion space?
Greg
as Kevin
Play Ken
as joe
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