The vibrant life of Ernest Withers was anything but black and white. Soldier, police officer, civil rights activist, and paid FBI informant. It’s an unlikely resume for an African American photographer in the 1960s, but complex times spawn complicated stories. From his Memphis studio, Withers developed nearly 2 million images that came to illustrate America’s civil rights stories. But perhaps the push and pull of history is best illuminated by Withers’ lesser-known work, decades of secret FBI service uncovered only after his death. THE PICTURE TAKER brings us a tale from in front of, and behind, the camera.

Q&A with director Phil Bertelsen and producer Lise Yasui to follow. 

This Screening is Co-Presented by