Combining image and sound to create something more than the individual parts is the definition of film editing. I chose to use vintage news footage of actual deaths and fused it with a remix of music by Jimi Hendrix and Muse. I find the result emotional, disturbing and raw. Is it art or exploitative? Beautiful or morbid? Only you can be the judge of that… NSFW
The online historical archives of British Pathé contain countless news reel films covering war, tragedies, accidents and other historic events. Some of these reports document the last moments of peoples lives. The camera does not lie. Life can be both beautiful and horrible…and sometimes these extremes intermingle in a split second.
I was struck emotionally by the unflinching honesty and visceral nature of the footage. It is both haunting and horrific. I wanted to encapsulate that feeling and created this edit to convey those thoughts.
Be warned, some of the footage is disturbing and graphic…it’s not for everyone.
To learn more about the events depicted in this edit…please visit:
britishpathe.com/gallery/ten-tragedies-caught-on-film
Until next time…
