Tish (Documentary) - Talking to Director Paul Sng

"MY USE OF PHOTOGRAPHY AND MY APPROACH TO IT IS BASED ON THE CONVICTION THAT THE FUNDAMENTAL VALUE OF THE MEDIUM IS ITS CAPACITY TO PROVIDE DIRECT, ACCURATE, AND VITAL RECORDS OF THE CONDITIONS, EVENTS AND EXPERIENCES THAT SHAPE OUR LIVES."

Tish Murtha

Photography students (HND & BA Hons) enjoyed a private screening of "Tish," a documentary about the life of photographer Tish Murtha, followed by a talk and Q&A with the film's director, Paul Sng.

Murtha, a working-class photographer, documented the stark social and political injustices in England's deindustrialized north. Her work, largely overlooked for decades, was finally celebrated in the 2018 exhibition "Works 1976 – 1991" at The Photographer's Gallery.

Murtha passed away in 2013, just before her 57th birthday. Her legacy is carried on by her daughter, Ella, the custodian of her archive.

Paul passionately discussed his collaboration with Ella on the film, emphasizing the importance of compassion and sensitivity in documentary filmmaking. He stressed that the filmmaker's perspective shouldn't overshadow the experiences of the people involved, stating, "It's not your truth, but the people you are working with."

When questioned about his project selection criteria, he listed five key considerations: What is the story about? Who is the audience? How are we going to tell that story creatively? Why now? What is my right to tell the story?