The LRB Podcast The Life and Death of a Photographer in Gaza
Dec 3, 2025
Sepideh Farsi, an Iranian exile filmmaker based in Paris, shares her journey documenting the life of Palestinian photographer Fatma Hassona, who tragically lost her life in an airstrike. They discuss the bond they formed over video calls amidst fear and destruction, exploring Fatma's resilience and commitment to witnessing her reality through photography. Farsi reflects on the ethical challenges of documenting such devastation, the importance of portraying dignity rather than sensationalism, and the emotional weight of carrying Fatma's story forward after her death.
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Conversation As Documentary Bridge
- Sepideh Farsi used remote video calls to build a sustained, intimate documentary relationship with Fatma Hassona despite Gaza's blockade.
- The film foregrounds conversation as a form of witnessing and connection across impossible borders.
Subject Reassures The Filmmaker
- Fatma often comforted Sepideh and reversed expected roles by asking after Sepideh's wellbeing during calls.
- Their rapport made the film feel reciprocal rather than one-sided testimony.
Dignity Over Shock Imagery
- Fatma's photographs focus on dignity, everyday joy, and resilience rather than shock imagery of suffering.
- Sepideh mirrored that choice by centering Fatma's voice and personality over spectacle.
