Slow paced and charmingly filmed biographical story about 19 century Vilnius photographer Juozapas Cechavicius (Józef Czechowicz), his ancient art of photography, and the city of Vilnius itself - all on the basis of scanty biographical facts, selection of beautiful ancient photographs, few examples of "restored" pieces of the architecture by subtle usage of CGI, and profound comments from some of the best experts on history of Vilnius, Lithuania, and history of art of photography in Eastern Europe. It is not an accident, that Mindaugas Meskauskas, the director of the documentary, is also presently probably the most active practitioner of wet collodion photography in Lithuania himself - he definitely knows what he is talking about in the movie (and he is doing it, personally). Highly recommended.
3 Reviews
Perfectly told story about photography in 19th century
adasvasiliauskas21 March 2023
Warning: Spoilers
Involving biographical story about a 19th century photographer, who lived and worked in Vilnius, Lithuania. But I must say it's more than a story about a person - it's a story about the history of photography: extremely slow, difficult and sometimes dangerous technology at that time. Not mentioning that you couldn't photograph on the street without a permission!
I also liked the directorial decision to combine 19th century with our times - the director of the movie himself, Mindaugas Meskauskas, walks around the actor (photographer) and tells the story. And he also invited more photography experts to prove that the knowledge provided is truly authentic and realistic.
I also liked the directorial decision to combine 19th century with our times - the director of the movie himself, Mindaugas Meskauskas, walks around the actor (photographer) and tells the story. And he also invited more photography experts to prove that the knowledge provided is truly authentic and realistic.
Not only for photography enthusiasts
godabanzaite13 March 2023
I went to see 'A Nineteenth-Century Photographer's Legacy', directed by Mindaugas Meskauskas, by accident. I had never planned to see it, but a friend invited me to the cinema, and off we went. My knowledge of photography is pretty limited, and I was expecting that this documentary would put me to sleep. However, the reality turned out to be completely different.
Somehow, Mr. Meskauskas grabbed my complete attention, and I got instantly absorbed by the story of Juozapas Cechavicius, a mysterious photographer from 19th century Vilnius. It's a well-crafted story with interesting shots and visual solutions. You can even meet the director himself in the movie. It's impossible not to feel his unlimited enthusiasm about the subject of his chouce - Cechavicius and his method of photography. Summa sumarum - I learned more about photography, Vilnius history, and spent an entertaining afternoon. Highly recommended. It's even suitable for those who do not have a huge interest in photography; somehow, you get hooked by the good story and nice shots."
Somehow, Mr. Meskauskas grabbed my complete attention, and I got instantly absorbed by the story of Juozapas Cechavicius, a mysterious photographer from 19th century Vilnius. It's a well-crafted story with interesting shots and visual solutions. You can even meet the director himself in the movie. It's impossible not to feel his unlimited enthusiasm about the subject of his chouce - Cechavicius and his method of photography. Summa sumarum - I learned more about photography, Vilnius history, and spent an entertaining afternoon. Highly recommended. It's even suitable for those who do not have a huge interest in photography; somehow, you get hooked by the good story and nice shots."
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