In Alex Garland’s action thriller cameras are a weapon of truth, writes Adrian Pennington.
There’s a scene in Oliver Stone’s 1986 movie Salvador about the country’s chaotic civil war where a photojournalist played by John Savage is killed in the heroic attempt to capture the money shot - or proof - of military bombs falling on the civilian population.
The heroic nature of photojournalists and the wider importance of upholding the journalistic quest for truth is Writer-Director Alex Garland’s mission in Civil War - although the lines are blurred. The film’s hero, a veteran war photographer, is among a press pack dreaming of the ultimate money shot: the capture or execution...
You are not signed in.
Only registered users can view this article.

Behind the scenes: A Complete Unknown
All the talk will be about the remarkable lead performance but creating an environment for Timothee Chalamet to shine is as much down to the subtle camera, nuanced lighting and family on-set atmosphere that DP Phedon Papamichael achieves with regular directing partner James Mangold.

Behind the scenes: The Brutalist
Cinematographer Lol Crawley finds the monumental visual language to capture an artform that is essentially static.

Behind the scenes: Bringing live deepfakes to the fore in Here
The breakthrough in the making of Here was not the authenticity of a de-aged Tom Hanks, but that the face-swapping technique could be achieved live on set.

Behind the Scenes: Disclaimer
For all the slippery perspectives in psychological thriller Disclaimer, the truth is lying in plain sight, explains Editor Adam Gough.
Behind the Scenes: Conclave
Mystery, suspense and a game of thrones in the Vatican lensed by cinematographer Stéphane Fontaine.