Frontier People:
Celebrating the work of the documentary film-maker Brian Moser

Film extracts and panel discussion chaired by André Singer

During a career spanning more than 40 years, Brian Moser made over 25 documentary films, including developing the pioneering, highly acclaimed UK TV series Disappearing World, awarded a BAFTA in 1976.  He subsequently made further documentaries as part of the Frontier, and Before Columbus series. Much of his trailblazing work shone a powerful light on the undocumented life of the ‘frontier people’ of Latin America including indigenous peoples, inhabitants of squatter settlements, emerald miners and illegal coca growers. Many of his films remain highly relevant today and continue to be used for teaching, training and other purposes.

The event will be hosted by UCL’s Development Planning Unit (DPU) in collaboration with the UK’s Royal Anthropological Institute (RAI). A ‘film reel’ introduced by Titus Fossgard-Moser and covering a selection of Brian films will be screened, followed by a panel discussion chaired by the documentary film maker André Singer and including Professor Julio D Dávila (DPU, UCL), cameraman Ivan Strasburg, and anthropologists Hugh Brody and Stephen Hugh-Jones.

Following the event, attendees are invited to drinks and refreshments at the Marlborough Arms Pub, 36 Torrington Place, Bloomsbury, London WC1E 7LY (3 minutes’ walk from the Roberts Building).

Andre Singer is a documentary filmmaker and anthropologist. He started working in television in the early 1970s as a researcher, then as a producer and director for the Disappearing World series at Granada Television, eventually taking over from Brian as the Series Editor. He has subsequently made many award–winning films, including the Strangers Abroad series, Khyber, Night Will Fall, Where the Wind Blew, Meeting Gorbachev with Werner Herzog, and Witchcraft Among the Azanda. 

Hugh Brody is an author, filmmaker, and anthropologist.  His filmmaking began in 1975 when Brian was the series editor with Disappearing World, and Hugh collaborated with Mike Grigsby on the film The People's Land, Eskimos of Pond Inlet.  His further documentaries include Hunters and Bombers, The Washing of Tears, The Meaning of Life, and Inside Australia, as well as the feature film Nineteen-Nineteen. His extensive work in the Southern Kalahari led to the DVD Tracks Across Sand.  He is the author of a number of books including Maps and Dreams, The Other Side of Eden, and Landscapes of Silence.

Ivan Strasburg is a cameraman who worked extensively with Brian including on the films Mongolia, People of the Barrio, Emerald Miners of Muzo, Ranchers of the Sierra, A Small Family Business, and God Gave us the Leaf.  He moved into feature and TV drama in the mid eighties and worked on feature productions including The Killing Fields, Bloody Sunday, Cracker, and The Murder of Stephen Lawrence.  He has won two Baftas and had two Emmy nominations for his work.

Julio D. Dávila is UCL Professor of Urban Policy and International Development, and a former Director of The Bartlett Development Planning Unit at UCL. With research and consultancy experience spanning over 15 countries, much of Julio’s research work has focused on Colombia’s recent urban, social and economic development.  

Stephen Hugh-Jones is an anthropologist and author.  He and his wife Christine worked closely with Brian on his films concerning the Tukano indians in Northwest Amazonia including War of the Gods, A Small Family Business, and Before Columbus: Conversion. Stephen has published extensively on the Tukano and spearheaded several important initiatives aimed at supporting the integrity and longevity of the Tukano people and their culture.