A Good Day to Die, Hoka Hey (2016)

Biography, Documentary, News /
7.3/10
100% – Critics

A Good Day to Die, Hoka Hey Storyline

What is the first thing you think of when the guy behind you gets his legs blown off? What time is it when it hits ‘bomb o’clock’? How do you fall for a woman, who then reveals herself as an assassin? Hoka Hey is a narrative feature, 5 years in the making, documenting the life story and extraordinary adventures of British conflict photographer, Jason P. Howe. He survived 12 years on the front-line of four wars, capturing images of humanity at war, its suffering, and cultures in disarray. His work has been showcased in many of the world’s best-known publications, such as The New York Times, The Telegraph, Time, Newsweek, Rolling Stone, and many others. It all started with a self-funded trip to Colombia into an area synonymous with drug trafficking and violence. Documenting the brutal war between the left-wing rebel group, FARC, their sworn enemies the military, and the right-wing paramilitary groups, Jason gained the trust of all sides of this scarcely reported war – putting him in a position that few had ever been in. This was just the beginning, his lust for risk awakened; Jason proceeded to put himself in the way of danger in conflicts that have defined the present day. Iraq, Lebanon, and Afghanistan, where he worked extensively with British troops on the front-line are all on his resume. One horrific incident, photographed by Jason, led him to winning the prestigious UK Picture Editors’ Guild Awards- Photographer of the Year and Photo Essay Award. These pictures captured the gripping moments of an IED blast that blew the legs off a British soldier behind him. Ironically, it was the publishing of these pictures in one of Britain’s leading newspapers – The Telegraph – that led to Jason being unofficially banned from the front-line by the British Ministry of Defence, a limiting career move that left him frustrated and disappointed. Jason’s journey exposes the physical and emotional impact of love, loss, friendship, suffering, and disillusionment. Especially the bravery it takes to survive the world at war, and what it takes to get the images published for the world to see. This is not a film about war. This is a story of a man who chose a life of perpetual peril in pursuit of the perfect image. An insight on how passion led to a downward spiral in this crazy tale of survival and change. Jason went down the rabbit hole, and we don’t know if he has fully come back out.—KS

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A Good Day to Die, Hoka Hey Movie Reviews

A 90 minute indulgence of ego and self-import

With seemingly no genuinely humble connection to many of the stories behind the photos, this documentary comes across as particularly transactional and false. Perhaps Jason is the only thing Jason loves more than his photos and this 90 minute documentary exercise in self- love stands as a clear testament to this sentiment. Frankly if Jason had taken my photo I would’ve ensured he couldn’t have profiteered from it, as I could think of nothing worse than enriching and emboldening a man who sees himself as such a martyr.

Whilst reflecting on a day when a man lost both of his legs, serving his country, Jason feels the need to reiterate how valued he was in the ensuing CASEVAC, whilst staring forlornly into the middle distance. They shook his hand! Why couldn’t more photo-journo’s be like him?!

I’m glad I chose to rent this documentary rather than to buy it outright. I got a chance to see the footage that I wanted to see, although there wasn’t much of it – plenty of airtime for monologues in CPs and wide angle shots of Jason putting his kit on, though. A boring and self-absorbed piece of work.

Hoka Hey

From FARC to Fedayeen, from Bangkok to Baghdad. Jason leads you through a macabre series of dances with death. Hoka Hey climaxes in the rush of an IED in Helmand and the confrontation with a staid MOD (Ministry of Defence) in London. You return to narco strife and guerilla warfare where your lover packs a pistol. You tag along with your brother who is a Pro Paratrooper in Afghanistan. A rocker fueled life lived under extreme duress, driven by the passion of photojournalism as it transgresses from from film to digital. Then the dissolve to a quiet existence in southern Spain and the battle against PTSD and poverty. Hoka Hey has you hanging in there …

Sobering, respectful, and a testament to the madness of man

With the subject matter being so graphic and visceral, it’s very easy for any doco on conflict to turn into some kind of war porn extravaganza but I’m very happy to say that “A GOOD TO DIE, HOKA HEY” was not that.

In fact, my wife and I were stuck by how the whole film was very reserved, and handled the sensitive subject matter with care and respect. I felt that Jason showed a vulnerable and human side to himself, wracked by years of conflict photography.

It is a very sobering film, and makes you realise how dangerous, silly, and REAL war is.

I was very impressed that the director and writer managed to string together a very strong and cogent thread from Jason’s body cam / helmet cam footage. This is often a very difficult task, and they achieve it brilliantly. It feels like the footage has been shot for the purpose of the film, which is not the case. It often feels sometimes like the viewer is the one wearing the helmet, thus immersing themself in the battlefield and within Jason’s story.

Jason Howe isn’t deified in this film, and neither is he absolved from his own complicity in the consumption of war. He admits it openly. It is a good film about a flawed man, and worth your time.

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