Customer Reviews

Henri Cartier-Bresson (Two-Disc Collector's Edition)

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4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
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The Impassionate Eye was among the many DVD's about photography that I purchased recently. I can say that it turned out to be one of the most significant ones. I have been reading about HCB in many recources about photography. And I always accepted him as a great photographer (like the rest of the world). But I must confess that this was not because I understand his style and gift, but simply because it was written as such everywhere. But after watching this DVD, I realized and felt deeply why he was great. The DVD is well compiled and nicely mixes the views of HCB about his own work and the views of some other art people such as Isabelle Huppert and Arthur Miller. It also includes plenty of nice samples of his work. The English used in the DVD is very clear and easy to follow even for non-English speakers. And it flows very smoothly. You start watching the DVD and before you realize, it comes to an end, giving you the feeling that you know HCB better now.

In almost every book or assey about HCB, it's mentioned that he seizes the moment. But often, it's not mentioned which "moment". After watching the DVD, you realize that it's the moment when drama, geometry and the story comes together. For a photographer, when you hear this for the first time, it looks quite difficult to come across in a lifetime. But when you start seeing the world with HCB's eyes, you start realizing that it's not that difficult at all but you need to have the right point of view to see it.

In summary, I recomment this DVD to everybody, who is interested in quality photography. And to those who struggle to decide whether photography is art or not.

This is an interesting DVD for any Cartier-Bresson fan, but given the material, I would have made the film differently. You do get to see a lot of his photos and there is some good conversation with the man but the music is annoying and it would have been nice to have a choice of either reading subtitles (Cartier-Bresson speaks French) or hearing a translator. Instead, hearing the translator is the only choice.

There is surpringly little meat to this documentary given the fact that they interviewed several other people in addition to Henri Cartier-Bresson himself. I came away not knowing that much more about the man than I did before I watched this DVD.

Henri Cartier-Bresson is more than a photographer. This film about him, directed by Heinz Bütler, is based on interviews with Cartier-Bresson late in life, pondering over his own pictures. One cannot help being amazed at this man's work, his personality, and most of all; his inexplicable ability to be in the right place at the right time all over the world, helping us to remember certain historical moment, or everyday life, through the eyes of this special man. He has himself said: "for me photography is to place head, heart and eye along the same line of sight. It is a way of life", and through this film we can understand more how and why. Cartier-Bresson's pictures is meditative and beautiful, and in addition to show us much of his works, this film also leaves us with the impression that Cartier-Bresson was a wise and clear-sighted man. A must see for those interested in photography, or those just interested in a glimps into the life of one of the greater personalities of the last century.

As a photographer I am amazed by Bresson's work and life. I feel it is important to study the masters and put your vision to work. Love this dvd!

Another facet of HCB - film making. The first dvd shows HCB the documentarian film maker of the 30's Europe and (60's?) and 70's America . This 2nd dvd also contains interviews with the man himself - one at a table with his photographs and another, caught as he is drawing and quietly working with a model. Check the titles to make sure this is for you. This set might be good for photo course lecture. Overall, you get a better insight into the man and his thinking based on his personal experiences. Both dvd's are available with English subtitles.

Do not need to say why, buy it. This is a must for everyone.

See, feel, and enjoy not only the photography, but also the life.