Looking for the Light is the unique story of photographer Jane Bown and her enthralling career which saw her photograph some of the most famous figures of the 20th century from the Queen to Orson Welles and almost everyone in between. Documentary makers Michael Whyte and Luke Dodd paint a sincere, sensitive and at times sadly bitter portrait of Bown who grew up with no memories of her father and deep emotional issues surrounding her relationship with her mother.
But it is through Bown’s career and work that we connect with her. Working in an almost entirely male dominated profession she went about her work photographing the icons of the age as photographer for The Observer for 65 years – a place where she felt truly at home, as if she had finally found a family she was missing throughout her childhood.
There are interviews with Bown as well as Rankin, Edna O’Brien and Don McCullin.
Bown has now retired into obscurity, choosing to remain known through her work, many of which are shown throughout the documentary. Though the 90 minute running time seemed slightly too long this documentary more than did justice to an amazing career. Jane Bown, whether she realised it or not, blazed a trail.
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jgH6OlZsihM&list=PL71FE2304406A75EA
Director: Luke Dodd, Michael Whyte
Starring: Jane Bown
Running Time: 90 minutes
Release Date: 25th April
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