KJ: Cameraperson

I used to be a computer science major. After switching to FAMS, I have always questioned my decision to leave the diverse and promising CS job market that would await me after college. After seeing KJ, I can honestly say I will never ask myself that question again. She is easily one of the most inspiring people I have ever met. Her story from the Visual workshop about moving to Africa after college with essentially no plans was incredible. I have told myself that I am going to take a similarly brave and ambitious path, but to learn what these risks yielded, shaping her into the incredible film maker she is today, gives me hope for my future. After watching Cameraperson, it quickly became my favorite film. From the most broad perspective, her vignette structure sets the stage for a unique cinematic journey. From the very start of the film, KJ sought to establish her own humanity as she prepared to take the viewer an a journey that examined humanity through love and suffering. Sneezing and pulling grass away from the frame was KJ’s way of introducing herself to her audience. From there, we quickly became immersed in her world and memoir. It is easy to understand the therapeutic component that motived her to make this movie. The stories she has seen and heard are tremendously heavy, filled with the absolute worst side of humanity. The way she managed to convey true evil, by shooting the humanity and individuality of the victims of genocide, while also true love, by sharing her family, is simply mind blowing. To me, Cameraperson is not simply KJ’s memoir, but a physical example of how powerful film is. This film is not just about her life, but instead life in general. It is a call to arms for me-to dare to be as great as KJ is-leaves me reeling with the possibilities of documentary film.