Josef Koudelka
Born in Czechoslovakia in 1938, Josef Koudelka has been a Magnum photographer for over 40 years. Shortly after becoming a full time photographer in 1967, Koudelka quickly gained notoriety photographing the Soviet Invasion of Prague. Growing up behind the iron curtain, he always wanted to know “what was on the other side”. His first opportunity to photograph Israel and Palestine came through an invitation from French photographer Frédéric Brenner to join a project called ‘This Place’, which led in turn to Josef Koudelka’s four-year project called ‘Wall: Israeli & Palestinian Landscape’.
Director Gilad Baram and photographer Josef Koudelka, Qalandia Checkpoint
© Frédéric Brenner
Koudelka: Shooting Holy Land is a documentary following his journey and creative process for this project. Shot by Israeli born photographer Gilad Baram, who was Koudelka’s assistant at the time, the film marks his documentary debut. Baram begins by showing Koudelka playfully popping up in front of the camera composing his shot of Rachel’s Tomb, ending the scene with Koudelka grinning, looking very pleased with his capture. Baram cleverly presents Koudelka’s method of working through minimal cinematography whilst heightening the atmosphere of the barren landscape; almost blending into the background as he wanders the land looking for the perfect angle and composition.
Kalia Junction, Dead Sea area, Crusader map mural
© Josef Koudelka/Magnum Photos
Throughout the film Koudelka is armed with an array of cameras but seems to shoot solely black and white film on a Fuji GX617 Panoramic camera. Koudelka has a meticulous way of working and will revisit a site to re-photograph until he is happy with the result. The end of every scene presents the viewer with Koudelka’s resulting photograph and in stark contrast to his earlier work, these images present his evolving style and shift to landscape photography. Although Koudelka does interact with the locals he encounters, they rarely feature in his work. At various points in the film, Koudelka offers a fascinating insight into his early life in Czechoslovakia; presenting his photographic work, he explains how these experiences shaped his life today.
For the upcoming screenings of Koudelka: Shooting Holy Land visit DOK.fest Munich 5–15 May, 2016, and Docaviv – The Tel Aviv International Documentary Film Festival, 19–28 May, 2016.
Josef Koudelka photographing a mural of Palestinian poet Mahmoud Darwish, East Jerusalem
© Gilad Baram
Josef Koudelka at Qalandia Checkpoint
© Gilad Baram
Josef Koudelka at Rachel’s Tomb
© Gilad Baram
