THE RORY PECK AWARDS 2004
Sponsored by Sony

Inigo Gilmore

Good Morning Baghdad

Finalist: The Rory Peck Award for Features

A portrait of Baghdad in early 2004, unlike any other. Inigo Gilmore spent 7 weeks filming the 'unexpected' side of life in Baghdad, from drugged out US soldiers, to British clowns and the Baghdad Burger King, to the film centres of a US army DJ, broadcasting from the green zone.

Cameraman's Comments

"While I was working in the same news environment as dozens of the other journalists, I was usually operating on my own, camera in hand, seeking out unusual tales and digging for the story behind the story, delving into the dark underbelly of Baghdad.

It was distressing seeing how traumatised everybody in Baghdad was, from the Iraqis to the soldiers and the journalists, whose mode of escape was to drink heavily. Yet at the same time there was something astonishing and uplifting witnessing the clowns performing for Iraqi children in Sadr City - one of the most dangerous areas of Baghdad. I will never forget seeing women wearing hijab literally crying with laughter, momentarily escaping their grim reality.

I would not have been able to do this story, in this way, if I had not been freelance. As a freelancer I was able to run around for 2 months in Baghdad and capture off-beat moments, which staff reporters from mainstream media outlets were not able - or perhaps willing - to do. As I was my own editorial boss I was not chasing boms, and while I took risks - both financially and physically - it paid off."

Biography

Inigo Gilmore has worked as a freelance DV cameraman/director/reporter, shooting for TV and documentaries for the past 6 years in Africa and the Middle East. His previous films included 'Nkosi Story' (BBC Correspondent - 2001), which was entered for a Rory Peck Award. Since then Gilmore has filmed a number of features and other films for TV. These include 'Searching for Saddam' (2003 for BBC3) and 'Behind the Fence' (2003, Correspondent), which was nominated for an Amnesty International Award for best documentary in 2004.

Awards 2004 pictures

The Trust and Sony

Winners

Finalists

The Freelancers' Choice 2004

Judging Panels

Farewell from Miles Flint

The Trust | Awards | Training | The Free Lens | Links | Feedback | Home

Limited Company No. 35524586 Registered in England and Wales
Charity Reg. No. 1071844