Lebanon

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Lebanon

Paolo Pellegrin

"While covering the war in Lebanon, bombs and missiles were exploding around us, but you never saw who was launching them. It was different from all the wars I had covered before. This might be the way future wars look."

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Sitting comfortably in my suburban Texas home, I can not comprehend the nature of the struggle that is raging from the hit-and-run newcasts that offer so little. Thank you Chris Anderson for bringing it into my living room where I have to face the reality and seriously contemplate the role that we, the United States, play in it all.

Comment posted by Andreia Spencer (not verified) on August 17th, 2006

This kind of photojournalism is very common. It shows the horrors of war. That may be good to be reminded of from to time, but not ALL the time. And still that is what most photjournalists seems to do over and over again. After viewing this pictures I have not learnd anything that I can't learn from almost any random mainstream newscoverage. My advise to Chritopher Anderson, who certainley knows how to handle a camera, is to aim higher next time. Why is this war going on? What makes these people act like they do? Try to find things that are not common knowledge. That would make your work so much more intresting! War is horrible - but that's hardly something new.

Comment posted by Pawel Flato (not verified) on August 18th, 2006

Thank you for this documentary. "Photojournalism is dead?". I hope he didn't. I don't have tv and this report is a great source of information. When i saw this kind of photographs i am sure photjournalism is necessary. So, thanks for your work.

Comment posted by gael (not verified) on August 19th, 2006

This is a very biased point of view on this war. As one of the commentors said earlier, there is nothing new in these pictures. All this could have happen in Iraque, Pakistan, Africa or Israel as well. And if showing how Lebaness people suffer why not show also how how Israeli people suffered too? Or the other side pain is not interesting enough to show?

Comment posted by Melamory (not verified) on August 24th, 2006

it is necessary for people to understand something beyond mere numbers; how many died on this side or that, because that is all it seems to come down to, at least in north america. i appreciate these photos along with theaccompanying sounds for there honesty. however small a window this may be into the current conflict, at least it is not one trimmed with the commercial excesses we have become so used to. there is dramatic musical intro nor any inane commentary making it more difficult to get a sense of what is actually going on. of course we cannot rely on one source of information, but if only they were all as naked and straightforward as this one.

Comment posted by amit dahan (not verified) on August 26th, 2006

I commend your courage and bravery. At least you have made a difference and revealed the crusty edges that commercial newscasts avoid. The world has grown immune to images on TV, yet you have managed to capture the stark reality of the situation. I only wish more could experience your point of view.

Comment posted by James (not verified) on August 27th, 2006

It is known for a fact that Lebnen has endured multiple wars during its recent history, but never before have journalists dwelled so deep into the pain of the Lebnenyieh. Eventhough I live in Lebnen, I saw that your work brought me closer to the tough life in the South. Yet, I wished you focused a bit more on a certain aspect affected indirectly by the war: Students who left their colleges, gave up their jobs, saw their paradise being destroyed.

Comment posted by Khalil (not verified) on August 28th, 2006

this is war thru a lens and its real and sad, thank u again

Comment posted by james (not verified) on August 30th, 2006

That makes me feel like an angel has made the way down on earth to show us the the hell we made of the paradise we have been given. Brought me tears. Carry on, and take care I discovered your work about one year ago on the magnum website, and I still follow...

Comment posted by Agnes (not verified) on September 2nd, 2006

while you were doing this work i was simultaneously following the bomboardment of civilian villages in darfur...innocent people annihilated by antenav bombers...i remember listening to the bbc coverage of lebanon at night..wondering about a different..yet similar chaos a time zone away...my recent experience is the first i have had of active combat...of bombs falling next to me...of my own being targeted...i include this information so as to try and express this insane/indescribable feeling i have for all photographers and journalists who risk their lives and suffer for others..i only now know what this means..im not sure what comes from extending this knowledge..where we are going..at times it feels that the world has spun too far..but for now..i have a few images burnt into my memory...does this make the world safer..better..horror.while i cannot speak on lebanon..accept my sincere appreciation...a feeling only possible now..much love.... e.....

Comment posted by etr (not verified) on September 2nd, 2006

As a Finnish reservist that served in South-Lebanon as a UN Military Observer 1979-80 and an enthusiastic amateur photographer I can only say that the Magnum photo essays are powerful. I check your site monthly and send it as a link to many of my friends. Their comments are are a pleasure to read. In the environment where we are bombarded by commercial messages throughout the day in flashing colours I can only admire the power of the black and white photography. Your essays are delivering important messages in a plain, even painful way. Keep up this good work and wake the people up. You are running an important news channel of your own.

Comment posted by Ilkka (not verified) on September 3rd, 2006

What did you find "ridiculous" in the tour you went to? Didn't you see enough destructions, as those we see on your pictures?

Comment posted by bert (not verified) on September 14th, 2006

War is an outdated way to solve conflict, yet history repeats itself time and time again. Man's foolishness is without boundaries. He is unable to grasp that, to kill and destroy is easy, but to create. build and give birth is the ultimate challenge in life. The photos are powerful and bring the tragedy of wars to the attention of people. They tell the story of man's inhumanity to his fellow human beings. But ultimately, do they tell a true story? Are these photos neutral and without bias? Do they have the power to change anything for the better, or are they just propaganda to perpetuate the divisions and hatred between men? The jury is out.

Comment posted by Christian Him (not verified) on April 19th, 2008