This Is Not a Movie

This Is Not a Movie is a timeless documentary, developed in 2019, featuring one of the leading Middle East correspondent, Robert Fisk. It is an absorbing exploration of journalism's role in capturing history's unfurling with accuracy, empathy, and unflinching ferocity. Director Yung Chang has put together an intriguing story of a man willing to place himself in danger to report from the world’s conflict zones.

This compelling piece of work is structured as an observational portrait of Fisk at work and uses archival footage to flash back to previous significant periods in his life. The 113-minute film delves deep into the creative process and motivation of this influential journalist who has shaped how the world understands the complex social and political turmoil of the Middle East.

Intriguingly, Fisk’s role is not confined to journalism. Throughout the documentary, he also acts as an observer, creator, and participant in history. He witnesses major historical events and brings them to the public's attention with integrity. He does not merely report the news; he interrogates it. Unafraid to challenge authorities and love for visiting the front line, both qualities that separate Fisk from other journalists, feature prominently throughout the documentary.

Amira Hass, another significant performer in the documentary, is an Israeli journalist and author who has extensively reported on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. She provides an insightful and thought-provoking perspective throughout the movie. Nirmeen Hazineh also offers a critical view on the ongoing situations in the region.

This documentary is not an attempt to present a 'solution' to the Middle East crisis but certainly underscores the dire need for more journalists cut from Fisk’s cloth, journalists who strive for truth over neutrality, no matter the danger or hardship. Fisk, chatting calmly amidst gunfire, shows the grit, tenacity, and sheer might it takes to do what he does. It makes clear that on-the-ground reporting is not a task for the faint-hearted, but it is fundamental to fostering legitimate border-crossing empathies.

Yung Chang, the great storyteller, has chosen an innovative scenario to convey this compelling life story. The director presents Fisk's journey as an interlacing of interviews and Fisk's reporting in the field. Chang puts Fisk's controversial reputation under the spotlight and keeps the audience thinking about the deeper implications of conflict reporting and subjective bias.

Technically, the film is laudably cinematic despite its foundations in news reporting. The cinematography of Duraid Munajim uses the visual language of cinema to create a compelling portrait of Fisk at work. The shots of Fisk wandering amid ruins and in war-ravaged locales send the clear signal that he is a man intrinsically tied to his context. Perhaps even more engaging are the quieter moments, in which Fisk sits, thinking, writing, and wrestling with the truths he has dedicated his life to uncovering.

Much like Fisk’s fearless confronting of the issues, this film does not shy away from the uncomfortable, knotty nature of the Middle East’s realities. It firmly plants itself in the complexity of the situation and broadens our understanding of the deep-seated problems on both sides.

The pacing of the sequences are also carefully crafted to oscillate between tense, dramatic scenarios and chilled moments of introspection. This effectively maintains the audiences' interest, fostering a vivid understanding of the man and his mission and illustrating the challenging nature of contemporary war journalism.

“This Is Not a Movie” does what any excellent documentary should: it makes you think, it triggers conversations, and it aims to widen the boundaries of understanding through relentless pursuit of the truth. Designed not only as a portrait of a brave and committed journalist but also as a commentary on the broader issues surrounding contemporary journalism, it achieves both with style, depth, and unflinching honesty. The documentary stands as a timely and urgent testament in an era critical of journalistic credibility and practices.

This Is Not a Movie does not offer easy answers but exposes viewers to essential questions. It is a thought-provoking exploration of the realities of journalism, the pursuit of truth, and the price one man is willing to pay on this quest.