The Story Behind the Photo

Paul Lowe

Season 2, Episode 4 April 4, 2025

THE STORY BEHIND THE PHOTO

PAUL LOWE R.I.P. (1963-2024)

The fourth episode of ‘The Story Behind The Photo’ features a documentary about the late Paul Lowe, a British photographer who captured the life of Sarajevo during the Siege and the subsequent post-war period. He left behind a significant body of work, including photographs documenting daily survival in Sarajevo from 1992 to 1996. This interview was recorded in 2019 and was to be our first episode; however, it remained unpublished as we hoped to create more content with Paul, which, regrettably, we could not accomplish in time. He tragically left us too early and the goal of this episode is to serve as an In Memoriam, honoring his life and contributions, as well as reflecting his love for the city of Sarajevo and Sarajevans.

a film by DŽEMIL HODŽIĆ
executive producer ANNA PROKOU
producer DIMITRIS SIDERIDIS
production manager DINELA JELČIN
director of photography EMIR JORDAMOVIĆ
additional camera DIMITRIS SIDERIDIS
editor DŽEMIL HODŽIĆ
colorist KISHORE KANCHAN
art director HÉLOÏSE DORSAN-RACHET
special effects ALEX PAPADOPOULOS
photo of Paul Lowe ABDULLAH IBRADŽIĆ
composer ATHAR SAEED
sound designer LINUS BERGMAN
special thanks to PAUL LOWE
thanks to KENNETH MORRISON

in association with IMAGEFIELDS LAB & VII Foundation

This film was made with the financial support of MEMORIAL CENTER SARAJEVO

PAUL LOWE BOOKS:
Bosnians (2005)
Understanding Photojournalism (2017)
Reporting the Siege of Sarajevo (2021)
Photography, Bearing Witness and the Yugoslav Wars (2022)

SUBTITLES: English & Bosnian

WATCH IT IN 4K

Thanks to photographers for the photos used in the title sequence.

Paul Lowe's Photos

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A family play chess in the hallway outside their apartment during the siege of Sarajevo.

A wounded man with an intravenous drip in hospital during the siege on Sarajevo by Serb troops. Doctors and nurses working in the hospitals through the conflict operate on the injured without electricity, heating, light and drugs.

People run across an intersection, the infamous Sniper Alley, to avoid sniper fire during the siege of Sarajevo by Serb troops.

Families say goodbye to their relatives as they prepare for an evacuation by the United Nations (UN) of the wounded and vulnerable from the besieged city. Over 10,000 people were killed and more than 60,000 were injured in the 4-year long siege on the city by Serb troops.