Dying to Tell the Story

A well done documentary that examines the motivation behind journalists in war zones. The film was made by Amy Eldon, who was the younger sister of Dan Eldon, a Reuters photographer killed during a Somalia riot in 1993 when he was 22 years old. In her attempt to understand what had happened to him and why he and countless other journalists take such risks, she travels back to Somalia to the place where her brother died.

A number of notable war journalists are interviewed, including Christine Amanpour, Corrine Dufka (who has twice been assigned to replace dead colleagues), and Peter Magubane (who was jailed and tortured for taking pictures during the height of the apartheid). From these interviews, one begins to understand the importance for such people in war zones, and why they continue to take the risks. The pictures they take and the stories they tell in this film are very sobering. When the movie was finished I sat breathless for a moment, and had to shake my head a bit to get myself focused. This is a very intense film that shows the reality of war and those who capture it on film.

I was drawn to this documentary after buying Dan Eldon's incredible book "The Journey is the Destination." After he was killed, a number of journals were found that he had kept ever since he was a child. I strongly recommend buying this book- its full of emotional and visually stunning collages. Its definitely one of my favorite books that is well worth the price. You can flip through it a million times and always get something new from it.

"Dying To Tell The Story" is certainly a worthwhile film. I'm not sure where its available (I think it was aired on t.v. a few years back or so) but I ordered mine from Amazon.com. If you can find it, its definitely worth watching.

Dying to tell the Story is so engaging that I have watched it hundreds of times and have yet to be bored. While its theme is a sister seeking answers to the death of her photojournalist brother, it is so much more. Journalists who range from the Bang, Bang Club photographers who were shooting during the height of apartheid to the world-renowned and much loved Christiane Amanpour are interviewed by Amy Eldon, sister of Dan Eldon who was stoned to death in Somalia.

Amy has a desire to know why her brother had to die to tell the story. His fellow journalists try to explain their need to do what they do. Each of their quests show us why they risk their lives to make sure we get the truth at any cost. From the daily conflicts in the Middle East to the seemingly never ending confrontations in Africa, we go with Amy Eldon as she seeks her answers.

Two photographers in the video have now lost their lives covering stories since the video was released. One lost both of his legs. And yet...they continue to make sure we learn the truth and see what is happening around the world where they are literally---Dying to Tell the Story.