The uplifting and humanistic Frame by Frame gives us some admirable insight into the practitioners behind the new-found journalistic freedom in a post-Taliban Afghanistan. Perhaps most importantly, it gives us plenty of time to soak in their breathtaking, powerful, and often culturally important images.

For all its strengths, Frame by Frame needs to more strongly convey a sense of the people behind the pictures, and just how much bravery is required by these photographers to simply do their work – instead, it is merely implied via some cagey interviews with those who’d rather not be seen supporting the movement’s artistic expressions.

Often stirring, Frame by Frame tells an important story with value to those who cherish freedom of expression – however, the photographers’ personalities and their motivations beyond the salient remain under-explained.

RATING: 3/5

INFORMATION

DIRECTOR: Alexandria Bombach, Mo Scarpelli

SYNOPSIS: Documentary. Until 2001, in a Taliban-ruled Afghanistan, taking a photograph was a crime. After the regime fell from power, a fledgeling free press emerged – however total freedom of expression remains not without risk.

Frame by Frame was screened in the Official Documentary Competition at the 2015 London Film Festival.