Swashbuckling CNN combat camerawoman, Margaret Moth, risks it all to put the viewer inside the conflict. When a fateful injury gets in the way of her appetite for danger and adrenaline, Moth must find the strength to carry on.
Never Look Away, directed by Lucy Lawless, is a compelling and unique documentary-style film that immerses viewers in the extraordinary life of Margaret Moth. Moth, a New Zealand-born camera operator, defied the odds and broke through barriers in a field dominated by men, particularly in war correspondence. Her story is one of fearlessness, passion, and resilience, and Lawless' film attempts to capture the essence of a woman who lived life on her own terms.
The title Never Look Away is fitting for a film about a woman who spent her career staring directly into the face of danger, capturing the horrors of war through her camera lens. Moth's determination to document the truth, no matter the cost, is at the heart of the film. Lawless weaves together interviews, archival footage, photographs, and digital reconstructions to tell Moth's story, creating a film that is as visually engaging as it is emotionally impactful.
The documentary is structured around two main narrative threads. One focuses on Moth's personal life, including her controversial relationships and her hedonistic lifestyle. The other delves into her professional journey as a war correspondent, driven by an insatiable desire to expose the world's injustices. While both narratives are compelling, they do not always seamlessly intertwine. At times, the film struggles to balance these competing aspects of Moth's life, and the audience feels the film lacks a cohesive direction. Nonetheless, the documentary manages to convey the sheer complexity of Moth as a person, even if it falls short of fully integrating her personal and professional experiences.
Moth was not a conventional figure, and Lawless does not shy away from showing the more controversial aspects of her life. From her relationship with a 17-year-old boy when she was in her early thirties to her indulgence in drugs, partying, and open relationships, Moth's personal life was anything but ordinary. These elements of her life may be troubling for some viewers, but they also highlight her unapologetic approach to living. Moth lived by her own rules, and Lawless captures this rebellious spirit with unflinching honesty.
However, it is Moth's professional life that truly defines her legacy. She was one of the first female camera operators in war zones, a field fraught with danger and dominated by men. Moth's fearlessness in the face of peril is astounding. The film shows her repeatedly placing herself in harm's way to get the shot, from standing on rooftops during bombings to travelling through war-torn regions in Europe and the Middle East. Her work reveals the staggering human cost of war, particularly for innocent civilians caught in the crossfire.
Lawless uses creative storytelling techniques to bring Moth's experiences to life. One of the most visually striking elements of the film is the use of large digital dioramas, built by Wētā Workshop, to depict some of the more significant action sequences. These dioramas, combined with pastel filters and dramatic interludes with actors, add a layer of artistry to the film that elevates it beyond a standard documentary. While these stylistic choices are captivating, they can at times feel at odds with the film's more grounded documentary approach, creating a slight dissonance in tone.
The film does not shy away from the trauma Moth endured. A near-fatal injury shifted the trajectory of her life, turning Never Look Away from a tale of rebellion into a story of resilience and recovery. After being severely injured, Moth channelled her anger and determination into a remarkable comeback. Despite her injuries, she returned to the field, continuing to capture the horrors of war with the same fearless determination that defined her earlier career.
One of the film's shortcomings is its lack of detail about Moth's early life. There are hints of a painful past, including references to abuse, but much of this remains unexplored. With Moth's passing, many details of her life are lost, and the film relies heavily on second-hand accounts from those who knew her. This leaves some aspects of Moth's story feeling incomplete, and viewers may find themselves wanting more insight into the experiences that shaped her into the fearless woman she became.
Despite these gaps, the film succeeds in portraying Moth as a complex and compelling figure. She was not just a war correspondent; she was a woman who lived life to the fullest, embracing danger and defying convention at every turn. Her work in places like Baghdad, Kuwait, Bosnia, and Tbilisi made her a celebrated journalist, and her legacy is cemented by the powerful footage she captured. Yet, Never Look Away also reminds us that Moth was more than her professional achievements. She was a woman with a thirst for adventure and a desire to push the boundaries of what was possible.
The film's pacing reflects the chaos of Moth's life, jumping from one dangerous situation to the next with little time for reflection. While this mirrors the fast-paced nature of her career, it also makes the film feel somewhat disjointed. The audience is whisked from one warzone to another without a clear sense of resolution or growth. This frenetic pacing can be disorienting, but it also serves to highlight the relentless nature of Moth's work and the toll it took on her.
Never Look Away ultimately paints a portrait of a woman who was driven by a passion for truth and a thirst for adventure. Moth's story is one of resilience, rebellion, and an unwavering commitment to capturing the realities of war, no matter the personal cost. Lawless' film does not provide easy answers or neatly tied-up conclusions, much like Moth's own life. Instead, it offers a raw and unfiltered look at a woman who refused to be ordinary, even in the face of unimaginable challenges.
Never Look Away is a film that asks us to confront the uncomfortable truths of war and the human cost of conflict. It also challenges us to consider what it means to live life to the fullest, as Margaret Moth so boldly did. While the film may not be perfect in its execution, it is a powerful tribute to a woman who never looked away from danger, from injustice, or from the opportunity to capture the world as it truly is.
Never Look Away is one of 105 films screening as part of the Whānau Mārama New Zealand International Film Festival (NZIFF)
The full programme of 2024 films is outlined here.
Tickets can be booked online at www.nziff.co.nz