Julia Leeb, a filmmaker and photographer who has worked in some of the
most dangerous and remote places in the world, has shared her
experiences at a Northwestern University in Qatar (NU-Q) Community
Meeting.
The only way to know the truth is to see it with your own eyes; this is
what Leeb shared with a roomful of media and communication students,
along with faculty and staff from NU-Q, during the meeting.
From documenting political upheaval in the Democratic Republic of the
Congo, Egypt, Syria, Libya and Afghanistan to capturing everyday life in
North Korea and Sudan, Leeb says she has “lived her life discovering
others”.
“Ms Leeb’s work is both courageous and inspiring,” said Everette E
Dennis, dean and CEO, NU-Q. “Her projects are examples of how film and
photography can be a window into an entirely new world and consequently
bring positive change to people’s lives, which is what many of our
students plan to achieve.”
Leeb also produces virtual reality and 360-degree content about remote
regions, including Transnistria in Moldova and the Nuba Mountains in
Sudan. In 2014, the photographs from her visits to North Korea were
published in her book, North Korea: Anonymous Country.
“What I love most about my work is the power it has to give back,” Leeb
said. “By capturing the struggles and hardship of others, I am making a
difference by raising awareness about important, untouched issues, which
can drive people to take action and help those in need.
“Never underestimate the power of a picture.”
On choosing her stories and news angles, Leeb says she stays away from
sensational news and chooses to cover undocumented stories that give
viewers a real taste of how people live their daily lives. This, she
says, makes her projects unique and her stories effective.
“I identify stories that are not trending,” explained Leeb. “I go to
places where media coverage is low or non-existent and where most people
would be scared to go. And now, through 360-degree technology, I can
bring other people’s reality to life so anyone around the world can see
what it is like, without being manipulated.”
During a question-and-answer period, students asked about the challenges
she faced as a woman in hostile environments and as an outsider trying
to connect with complete strangers.
“Despite all the challenges, it’s an extremely rewarding job because I
get to meet with and learn from so many wonderful people,” said Leeb.
“They are my motivation, and their strength and perseverance is what
keeps me going and wanting to explore more.”
Leeb advised students to “create various forms of your story. Use
different mediums to create a better picture, and always be as
transparent and honest as you can.”
During her visit to NU-Q, Leeb also attended classes to discuss content
creation and innovation, as well as share some of her personal
experiences and what she has learned travelling the world, and screened
some of her films.
Elle magazine had listed Leeb as one of the top 80 international
characters and Refinery29 named her as one of the most inspiring women
in Germany.
Award-winning photographer and filmmaker, Julia Leeb, sharing her experiences with the NU-Q community.