Educational Media Reviews Online

As a librarian who on more than one occasion has taken a break from a stressful day by browsing the photography section in the stacks, I was very interested in reviewing this program. And my interest was rewarded. The first documentary about the photographer August Sander (1876-1964), it carefully chronicles the life and works of this important artist. Although minimally educated, as a young mine worker August Sander was asked to assist a photographer visually documenting the business of mining and those who worked in the mines. Soon afterward he was given a camera as a gift, and his future profession was sealed.

Sander focused on the “essence” of his subjects, and photographed the people of early 20th Century Germany in their daily surroundings. He shunned the formal, re-touched studio portraits that were the accepted style of his time. Instead, he chose to create natural portraits of archetypes of various classes and professions of German citizens. Sander organized his work in portfolios ranging from farmers, to businessmen, political prisoners, women, and, to the dismay of leaders of the Third Reich, the poor, blind and elderly.

The program is clearly organized, well scripted, and visually strong. It provides the viewer with an excellent overview of August Sander’s life, relationships, and most importantly many of his photographs. Family members are interviewed which adds depth to the personal portrait.

Although I am a viewer who will almost always opt for subtitled rather than dubbed English, I feel that the use of subtitles throughout this program is a slight drawback. While subtitles would of course be appropriate for the interviews and other footage showing a person speaking, the majority of the program is voiceover. It seems that an English voiceover would be very beneficial, particularly since so much of the program requires the viewer to focus on the photographic works being discussed.

August Sander: People of the 20th Century is recommended for a wide viewing audience. It provides both artistic and historical information that would be interesting and useful to general audiences as well as academic ones.