A documentary on Nigerian-British photographer and filmmaker Misan Harriman has opened in UK and Irish cinemas, following its release in the United States.
Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, was among guests at the UK premiere of Shoot the People, a documentary on Harriman’s life, photography and activism.
Chairman of The Guardian Nigeria, Lady Maiden Ibru; Chief Strategy Officer, Anita Ibru; and her daughter, Alexa, three generations from the same family, said they were proud to witness “a truly monumental moment in time for a fellow Nigerian” and urged every Nigerian to watch the film.
“The documentation of Misan’s work passed the test that the great films tend to pass: it made an impact on the soul audibly, visually and narratively. Indeed, film is the most immersive form of media delivery, often provoking the greatest empathy, and everyone in the cinema was moved,” Anita said.
The 90-minute documentary, Shoot the People, is directed by BAFTA-winning filmmaker Andy Mundy-Castle, whom Anita described as “a modern-day directorial genius.”
The film follows Harriman as he documents global protest movements and the work of grassroots activists fighting for equality, civil rights and social justice.
It explores how photography, interviews, historical context and digital activism preserve the memory of movements that have shaped public conversations across the world.
Speaking in the documentary, Harriman said he believed in the power of solidarity and empathy, describing photography as his own contribution to activism.
“I’m not a world leader. I’m not a politician, but this is how I play my part,” he said.
He added that taking photographs was only a small part of his work, saying much of it came from being present with the people and communities he documented.
Born in Nigeria, Harriman has become one of the world’s most recognised visual storytellers.
Reflecting on his childhood in the United Kingdom, he recalled struggling to fit in while growing up in the countryside.
“When you are young, you do not want to feel different. You do not want people to keep reminding you that you are not like them,” he said.
He added that constant reminders about where he came from affected the way he saw himself.
Harriman made history as the first Black photographer to shoot the cover of British Vogue’s September issue in the magazine’s 104-year history. The issue was titled Activism Now.
He is also widely known for documenting the Black Lives Matter movement and for photographing public figures including Rihanna, Tom Cruise, Julia Roberts and Cate Blanchett.
His 2023 short film, The After, was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Live Action Short Film.
Throughout Shoot the People, Harriman reflects on his commitment to human rights and social justice, explaining how photographs taken during major moments in contemporary history can preserve memory, inspire empathy and drive change.
Produced by Doc Hearts and distributed by Watermelon Pictures, the documentary brings together Harriman’s photography, archive footage and interviews to examine the role of images in shaping history.
Mundy-Castle, the founder of Doc Hearts, has previously worked on projects including White Nanny, Black Child, Jimmy Akingbola: Handle With Care, Lenny Henry: The Commonwealth Kid and The Fade.
The production team also includes producer Wyn Baptiste, editor Maeve O’Boyle, director of photography Johann Perry and executive producer Joanna Natasegara.
The documentary features contributors including Martin Luther King III, Rep. Ilhan Omar, Kumi Naidoo, Kate Hudson and Professor Ben Carrington.
Through Harriman’s lens, Shoot the People presents photography as more than art. It shows it as a record of protest, memory and resistance, showing how images can preserve the stories of ordinary people long after the headlines have faded.
Harriman’s photography is also on display in The Purpose of Light, a long-term exhibition at Hope 93 Gallery in central London.
The show brings together more than 100 black-and-white images taken over seven years, covering moments from Black Lives Matter marches, Grenfell Tower vigils and protests in Sudan, Congo and Palestine. The gallery was founded by Aki Abiola and focuses on artists whose voices are often left out of mainstream creative spaces.
