A DAY IN ALEXANDRA

In January 2011, we spent a day with Graeme Williams to make a short film about his life and work as a photographer. We’d already been shooting other photographers in Johannesburg, and were looking to film each of them in a space that was somehow relevant to them and their practice. We decided to meet Graeme in the township of Alexandra. 

As a photographer, the essence of Graeme’s work has changed in tandem with the social and political changes of South Africa. Formerly a full-fledged Reuters war photographer, Graeme was pushed at the end of Apartheid to seek out truths deeper and more subtle than those portrayed in the shocking imagery of his earlier work. He had to come to terms with the idea of “documenting truth,” and invading peoples’ spaces to distill that one perfect photograph. 

Our day was not easy, as Alexandra is not exactly the safest neighbourhood in the world. As we debarked from the van and ventured into the township, Graeme was scrupulous in his way of dealing with the streets, almost as if he was both walking through a minefield and tiptoeing through a precious rose garden. We were constantly reminded not too stray too far from the pack, and were always on the move. The moment Graeme’s instincts felt that things were getting a bit hairy, we would pack up, get in the van and move to a different location. 

Somehow, things also weren’t all that grim. I don’t know if it was that blissful detachment that comes with glueing your eyes to the viewfiender of the HD camera, or if it was just plain stupidity, but I never felt at risk, or even uncomfortable. Passers-by were quite friendly, and in almost every occasion willing to be filmed for a short while. Perhaps by now they were used to having film crews coming by and admiring their lives. 

After a long morning of moving around the township, we settled down by the river to have a chat. I think by this point, we had proved to Graeme that we were not assholes and that we were filming somewhat carefully, with respect. At this point he relaxed a bit, opened up and let us in.  His story proved to be every bit as fascinating as the township we were visitors in.

-Federico, FUMF