Ernest Cole: Lost & Found Review – Celebrating a Pioneering Photographer’s Tragic Journey

Ernest Cole: Lost and Found – A Haunting Portrait of Exile and Apartheid

Ernest Cole, a black South African photographer, used his lens as a weapon against the injustices of apartheid, bringing its harsh realities to the attention of the world. His powerful images played a notable role in galvanizing international pressure against the South African government. However, Cole’s commitment came at a steep personal price.As Raoul Peck‘s new film, “Ernest Cole: Lost and Found,” reveals, Cole’s life became one of stateless exile, marked by both artistic triumph and profound personal suffering. The film premiered in UK and Irish cinemas on March 7, 2025.

A Life in Exile

Cole’s 1967 book, “House of Bondage,” exposed the brutal realities of apartheid. However, its publication forced him into exile in new York and Europe for the rest of his life. He died in 1990,penniless,just as Nelson Mandela was being released from prison,symbolizing a freedom Cole could not experience himself.

While pancreatic cancer was the immediate cause of his death, it is suggested that Cole also succumbed to “depression and simple homesickness, anguished by his alienation from a homeland for wich he felt a wrenchingly passionate yearning.”

The Burden of Depiction

In the United States,Cole faced a different kind of struggle. While his work was celebrated, there was a demand for him to continually produce images of racism. Cole, however, resisted being confined to this singular narrative.He “wanted to escape the prison house of racial identity, and so resisted obvious agitprop work.” this resistance frustrated some sponsors, especially when he asserted that racism was prevalent in the U.S. as well.

Adding to his isolation,anti-apartheid activists in South Africa sometimes perceived his life abroad as a “pampered American life of artistic celebrity,” unaware of the hardships he endured. The film reveals a starkly different reality.

Poverty and Homelessness

The film exposes that, “The truth was very different: Cole suffered poverty and homelessness.” Peck uses LaKeith Stanfield’s narration, drawn from Cole’s writings and diaries, to paint a deeply moving portrait of an artist estranged not only from his homeland but also from his art and livelihood.

A Mysterious Legacy

A significant portion of Cole’s work was salvaged and secured in a Stockholm bank vault during a period he spent in Sweden. The circumstances surrounding this act remain shrouded in mystery. Did a benefactor foresee Cole’s future struggles and act to preserve his legacy? Or should one question the ethics of separating an artist from his work without his explicit consent,especially during his most challenging years? Even Cole’s family grapples with these questions,a complexity that Peck presents without judgment.

This raises vital questions about the ethical responsibilities we have to artists and their work, especially when they are vulnerable. Should artistic freedom include autonomy over one’s archive, even when others believe they are acting in the artist’s best interest?

Raoul Peck’s Vision

Raoul Peck, known for his Oscar-nominated 2016 documentary “I Am Not Your Negro” about James Baldwin, brings his signature sensitivity to Cole’s story.Peck’s approach, which uses “a kind of heightened, fictionalised first-person account,” allows viewers to connect with Cole’s inner world and understand the emotional toll of his exile.

This technique echoes Peck’s earlier work with Baldwin, suggesting a continuing interest in exploring the lives and legacies of black artists and intellectuals who grappled with issues of race, identity, and social justice.

The Power of Bearing Witness

Ernest cole’s story is a powerful reminder of the sacrifices artists make to bear witness to injustice. his photographs remain a testament to the horrors of apartheid and a call for continued vigilance against all forms of oppression. “ernest cole: lost and Found” is not just a biography; it is an exploration of the price of freedom, the burden of representation, and the enduring power of art to shape history.

consider supporting organizations that preserve and promote the work of artists who document social issues. Share Ernest Cole’s story to amplify his legacy and inspire future generations.

What are your thoughts on the balance between preserving an artist’s work and respecting their artistic autonomy?

Ernest Cole: Unveiling the Haunting Legacy of an Apartheid Photographer – An Interview with Raoul Peck

Archyde News: Welcome,Mr. Peck. Your new documentary, “Ernest Cole: Lost and Found,” promises to be a powerful exploration of a vital, yet frequently enough overlooked, figure in the fight against apartheid.What initially drew you to Ernest Cole’s story?

Raoul Peck: Thank you for having me.Cole’s story is a stark reminder of the human cost of injustice. I was deeply moved by the paradox of his life: a man who risked everything to expose apartheid, only to find himself in a different kind of exile, battling poverty and a sense of displacement. His photographs are iconic, but the price he paid for creating them needed to be acknowledged.

The Price of Bearing Witness: Cole’s exile and Artistic Struggle

Archyde News: “House of Bondage” brought the horrors of apartheid to international attention. however, it also forced Cole into exile. Can you elaborate on the challenges he faced, particularly in the united States?

Raoul Peck: Exile is never easy, but for Cole, it was particularly brutal. In the US,while his work was celebrated,there was a pressure for him to constantly recreate images of racial suffering. He resisted being pigeonholed, arguing that racism wasn’t just a South African problem.He saw it in America too, and that created friction. He wanted to be seen as an artist, not just a recorder of apartheid. This led to financial difficulties and isolation.

Beyond the Lens: Cole’s Personal Torment

Archyde News: Your film reveals that Cole faced poverty and homelessness, a stark contrast to the perception some had of him as a “pampered” artist. how did you approach portraying that aspect of his life?

Raoul Peck: That was crucial. We used LaKeith Stanfield’s narration, drawing heavily from Cole’s own writings and diaries, to give voice to his inner turmoil. The film isn’t just about his achievements; it’s about the emotional and psychological burden he carried. We wanted the audience to understand the depth of his despair,his longing for home,and the feeling of being disconnected from his art.

The mystery of the Stockholm Archive

Archyde News: A important portion of Cole’s work was secured in a Stockholm bank vault under mysterious circumstances.What are your thoughts on the ethics of preserving an artist’s work, even when it happens without their explicit consent?

Raoul Peck: It’s a complex issue, and one the film explores without offering easy answers. Did someone foresee Cole’s struggles and want to protect his legacy? Or was it a violation of his artistic autonomy? Even Cole’s family grapples with these questions. It forces us to consider the boundaries of intervention – when is it right to safeguard someone’s work, even if it means perhaps overriding their wishes, especially during a vulnerable time?

Raoul Peck’s Vision: Echoes of James Baldwin

Archyde News: You previously explored the life of James Baldwin in “I Am Not Your Negro.” What common threads do you see between Baldwin and Cole, and how does your approach to storytelling connect their experiences?

Raoul Peck: Both men were incredibly insightful observers of racial injustice and used their art – Baldwin his words, Cole his photographs – to challenge the status quo. They both faced immense pressure to conform to certain narratives and wrestled with the complexities of identity and exile.My approach, using a fictionalized first-person narrative, allows the audience to intimately connect with their emotional landscapes and understand the weight of their experiences.

The Enduring Power of Art and Remembrance

Archyde News: “Ernest Cole: Lost and Found” is more than just a biography; it’s a reminder of the sacrifices artists make to document social issues. What do you hope audiences will take away from this film?

Raoul Peck: I hope it inspires a deeper recognition for the power of art to shape history and the importance of supporting artists who bear witness to injustice. I want people to connect with Cole’s humanity, understand the price he paid, and be moved to continue the fight against all forms of oppression. And perhaps, most importantly, start a conversation about how we can better support artists in times of hardship rather than exploit them.

Archyde News: Thank you, Mr. Peck, for sharing your insights. “Ernest Cole: Lost and Found” premieres in UK and Irish cinemas on March 7, 2025. We encourage our readers to see this important film.

What are your thoughts on the balance between preserving an artist’s work and respecting their artistic autonomy? Share your opinions in the comments below.