Painting with Light: Brian Brake Rediscovered is a 44 minute arts documentary produced by ProductionShed.TV for TVNZ’s Artsville slot. It was funded by Television New Zealand and New Zealand On Air and screened on Sunday the 9th January 2012 at 10:30pm on TVOne.
Synopsis
With stunning footage, exclusive interviews and photos from a private collection; renowned cameraman David Paul (Reservoir Hill, Kaitangata Twitch) presents a behind the scenes look at Brian Brake and the groundbreaking methods he used to become New Zealand’s most successful international photographer. With veteran cinematographer Alex Funke (The Lord of The Rings), David works to recreate some of Brian’s signature techniques, using his original methodology and technology. Inside this framework, Brian’s life story unfolds, told in lively recollections by his closest friends and in astounding anecdotes by his professional and life partner, Raymond Lau.
Image credit: Brian Brake, Offerings to the unknown dead, Kyoto, Japan (Toshi Satow offering a candle), 1964. Photograph, taken for a series on Japan for Life. Te Papa, gift of the Brian Brake Collection by Wai-man Lau.