Photographer Steve McCurry to Give a Masterclass in Santo Domingo on His First Visit to the Country

February 9, 2017

Organized by the Dominican Republic Environmental Film Festival, Funglode will host one of the most iconic representatives of contemporary photography on February 9

Washington, DC- The famous photographer Steve McCurry, known worldwide by, among others, his work “The Afghan Girl “, will visit the country in February, as part of the filming of a movie on his own life, directed by the French Denis Delestrac. Within a tight agenda in the Dominican Republic, McCurry will teach a master class in the headquarters of Funglode, organized by Dominican Republic Environmental Film Festival (DREFF), February 9 at 7:00 pm. Due to the high demand of requests for assistance, the quota has been closed for several days now.

The visit to the country of the photographer is part of the filming of ONE, by director Denis Delestrac. The filmmaker has visited the country previously on two occasions, invited by the DREFF, festival where 3 of his feature documentaries have screened so far. Delestrac is also part of DREFF International Advisory Committee.

“In the urgency of the world today, it is time to bring people together through messages of beauty and commonality. We anticipate the film will spark many deep emotions and discussions on humanism”, explains Delestrac. The director of Sand Wars said he is very happy to visit the country and very honored to count with the support of partners of the caliber of GFDD/Funglode. “We could not have wished for a more successful entry in the Dominican Republic to start our filming. Surrounded by an excellent team of professionals”, he said.

Director of GFDD and DREFF, Natasha Despotovic, explained that is a honor for DREFF to serve as a catalyst between institutions and world leaders of all areas and the Dominican Republic. In addition, thanked Denis Delestrac for choosing the country to shoot part of the film. “We are always very grateful to the director, who is a member of the Advisory Committee and part of the DREFF family. He always thinks of us, when he is developing projects abroad. This is the result of six years of consecutive editions of the Dominican Environmental Film Festival. In this way, concluded Despotovic, “the name of the Dominican Republic is put in the map of environmental protection at a global level.”

About Steve McCurry
Steve McCurry has been one of the most iconic voices in contemporary photography for more than thirty years, with scores of magazine and book covers, over a dozen books, and countless exhibitions around the world to his name. He is best known for his photograph “Afghan Girl” which originally appeared in National Geographic magazine.

Born in a suburb of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; McCurry studied film at Pennsylvania State University, before going on to work for a local newspaper. After several years of freelance work, McCurry made his first of what would become many trips to India. Traveling with little more than a bag of clothes and another of film, he made his way across the subcontinent, exploring the country with his camera. His coverage on rebel-controlled areas of Afghanistan just before the Soviet invasion won the Robert Capa Gold Medal for Best Photographic Reporting from Abroad, an award dedicated to photographers exhibiting exceptional courage and Enterprise. McCurry continued to cover armed conflicts, including the Iran-Iraq War, Lebanon Civil War, the Cambodian Civil War, the Islamic insurgency in the Philippines, the Gulf War and the Afghan Civil War. He has been a member of Magnum Photos since 1986. He is the recipient of numerous awards, including Magazine Photographer of the Year, awarded by the National Press Photographers Association. The same year, he won an unprecedented four first-place prizes in the World Press Photo contest. In 2014, McCurry was awarded The Royal Photographic Society’s Centenary Medal.

Steve McCurry founded ImagineAsia in 2004. The mission of IA a 501-non-profit organization, is to work in partnership with local community leaders and regional NGO’s to help provide educational resources and opportunities to children and young adults in Afghanistan.

About ONE
In a seductively meditative journey through the most pivotal moments of Steve McCurry’s life and of recent global history, ONE follows the legendary photographer around the planet to capture and reveal the raw beauty of the human condition and blast an awakening message of unity. One of the chosen spots to film will be the Dominican Republic.

“Steve McCurry has been one of the most iconic documentarians of contemporary photography for more than three decades. His striking images captured all over the world portray a spectrum of conflicts, vanishing cultures, ancient traditions and contemporary culture alike. Through his images, McCurry shows life in the present moment, revealing the human being in its essence”, tells Delestrac. The portrait of Sharbat Gula (known as the Afghan Girl) became an unforgettable image and a reference of his work, continued the European director. “The film will raise the consciousness of the audience through a visual and poetical exploration of global humanism. Along his life’s journey, Steve McCurry has learned that the simple fact of crossing borders makes them disappear; that whether you live in Baghdad, Bombay or the Bronx, we are all animated by the same essential hopes and dreams.”

16 Years Ago
Why are we telling the story now? Delestrac asks: “The film has been in the forefront of my mind, and from the moment I was jolted awake by the thought, “I’M READY!” I emailed Steve who immediately responded, “LET’S DO IT!” Our friendship and the will of working together started long time ago, exactly 16 years ago. In 2001 as I was working as a journalist and photographer, I stepped into filmmaking by chance when I met McCurry in Asia, and made a short documentary about him, a 23 minutes film shot in India and Nepal. It was the first film ever made about McCurry … and the birth of my filmmaking career. During the following years, Steve and I kept shaping our creative voices and built a privileged relationship based on trust and respect. Year after year we expressed an interest to collaborate again by making an inspiring documentary for theatrical release focusing on the global humanist message that comes out of Steve’s lifetime photography. This year our lives are aligned perfectly and we are committed to make this film a reality.”

More information:
www.globalfoundationdd.org