Martin Bell is a talented filmmaker and cinematographer who is well known for his work that unflinchingly shows life as it truly is and all of the joys and sorrows that come along with it. Bell has worked on many different projects, and has won several prestigious film festival awards for his work.
alexander – opening from Falkland Road on Vimeo.
It is also noteworthy to mention that Bell is married to Mary Ellen Mark, the famed photographer. The two have cooperated on several projects meant to raise social awareness worldwide and to show life as it is, without being flinching or apologetic about it. Indeed, one of Bell’s most famous works is the documentary Streetwise.
Streetwise is a unique film due to the lack of scripting nor political agenda. Instead, Bell and Mary Ellen Mark sought out the community of children living on the streets of Seattle, and chronicled their lives in the least invasive way possible.
Streetwise is a powerful film because it simply shows the life that kids on the street are forced to live, and is unapologetic about capturing their pain, their hopes and fears, and their probable fates. While such films may not make the general viewing public feel comfortable, it does force awareness.
hidden america – titles from Falkland Road on Vimeo.
Indeed, that is one of the hallmarks of both Martin Bell and Mary Ellen Mark, in that they both share a love of truth and looking honestly at real social issues. While most people prefer to simply ignore what happens on the fringes, artists like Martin Bell look to it with a keen eye and reveal all of it. His films, documentaries, and short all take on the important issues without being afraid of being controversial.
