Uploaded May 2025 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago

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“He was always very polite,” says Mum of intrepid cinematographer Jacob Bryant. “Which, I guess, is what saved his life.”

Participants thanks:
Jacob Bryant
Louise McKay
Peter McKay

Thanks to:
Andrew Quilty
Melanie Rakena
Ruwani Perera

Archive provided by:
Jacob Bryant
Louise McKay
Melanie Rakena
Ruwani Perera & Native Affairs, Whakaata Māori
Warner Bros. International TV Production New Zealand
Gerard Smyth

Director, Producer and Camera: Gerard Smyth
Second Camera: Antony Miller
Line Producers: Kirsty Cooper & Antony Miller
Editor: Sarah Grohnert
Research: Eva Kershaw
Colour & Online: Mike Kelland
Audio Post: Chris Sinclair
Social Media Coordinator: Grazel Gueco

Funded by NZ On Air

Jacob Bryant, Frank Film, New Zealand documentary, war cinematographer, Gaza flotilla vessels, conflict journalist, Frank Stories from the South, Banks Peninsula, war zones, AK47 story, Kiwi abroad, NZ filmmakers, documentary filmmaker, Māori Television, war correspondent, conflict zones, cinematographer stories, Kiwi stories, Kabul Journalist, Christchurch Earthquakes, Gaza journalist, New Zealand journalism, Akaroa,