Jonathan: Shooting Robert King (2012)

In Jonathan's exploration into how photography affects people, Robert King (@Thefotoking), his work, and the documentary Shooting Robert King (2012) play no small role.

At 24-years-old, King finds himself in Sarajevo in 1993.  As the website for Shooting Robert King explains, he is:

... a graduate [aiming] to be the youngest ever Pulitzer Prize winner. He’s got 800 bucks in his pocket, has never been to a war and his ambition is proving tough. He gets shot at on the front line, fired by his agent and sets light to his apartment – all within his first month. Despite everything he is funny, charming, engaging and continues to be optimistic about his life’s possibilities.  

Since King sees two other wars over the course of fifteen years, however, is he able to retain this sense of charm? Or does he devolve into despair and madness?

Shooting Robert King, the website goes on, 

... explores the complex web of motivations that drive someone to extremes: the insecurities and aspirations, the striving for excellence and acknowledgement and the seemingly conflicting need to be at peace and yet near danger.... This film addresses the two questions that are always asked of those who report wars: Why do you do it? How does it affect you?

Some follow-up questions by the IP faculty:  how will this film and King's vision of photography inform Jonathan's work and his own interpretation of the art?

For the website for Shooting Robert King, please click on the following link:  http://us.shootingrobertking.com/#2.  Please consult the video below for a brief trailer of the documentary.

(Robert King, pictured above.  This photo belongs to memphisflyer.com.  Kildonan and the IP program claim no ownership of the above image).