Anthony Brooks
« Heartland »
Biography:
Born in Baltimore to a military family, Brooks’ formative years were spent in Guantanamo Bay; Sicily; and Jacksonville, FL; where he attended Jacksonville University to study film. Completely uprooted from one environment into totally new ones for most of his youth, there was no choice but to be a quiet observer of life’s dynamics that are significantly different in each new place. As an explorer, this nomadic experience shaped a vast world view that made it inevitable that he became a visual storyteller of some sort.
Anthony settled on the craft of cinematography, after journeying to LA in 2010—starting as a camera operator and eventually transitioning into a professional Director of Photography. Constant travel is what helps harden his visceral approach to creating images—and led him from capturing scripted narratives to long-form documentary endeavors—most notably the 1st two seasons of NBA star Lebron James’ and Amazon Studios executive produced series “Top Class: The Life and Times of the Sierra Canyon Trailblazers”. The docuseries offers a behind-the-scenes look at the biggest attraction in high school basketball garnered a nomination 2022 Critic's Choice for Best Sports Series.
Anthony is a self proclaimed anthropologist with a deep interest in capturing that “all things” that makes us human.
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Heartland
Trekking through the heartland of Israel for nearly two weeks leading up to the Hamas attacks of 2023—I found myself immersed in the complexities of its soil, entangled in a web of historical richness and contemporary tensions. From the ancient walls of Old City Jerusalem to the shores of the Dead Sea, and the poignant exhibits of the Holocaust Museum at Yad Vashem, the cities of Bethlehem, Jericho, Palestine and a refugee camp in the West Bank—the itinerary while on a documentary assignment traversed the breadth of human experience. Yet, amidst the palpable sense of history, there lingered an undeniable uneasiness—a religious Disneyland where the sacred and profane coalesce in a dizzying display of humanity’s best and worst. Each time you travel, you realize that your experience in each place defies all preconceived descriptions of the place.
With a mosaic of contradictions, for centuries claims on this "rich" land have been laid at stake—a nation steeped in religious heritage yet besieged by strife. In the company of a diverse travel group, ranging from Palestinian tour guides to Jewish rabbis, musicians, philanthropists, and a Christian Pastor—I bore witness to the kaleidoscope of experiences that define Israel. Present within the culture clash, we witnessed what lengths groups will go to stake claim to a land based on evidence that’s hard to prove in today's world.
Through boarders, walls, and security checkpoints emotions amassed as discomfort, and, at times, profound sadness. In the shadow of conflict, however, there emerged pockets of profound humanity. Venturing into the Aida Refugee Camp near Bethlehem, we were enveloped by an outpouring of warmth and hospitality, defying the harsh realities of its surroundings.
With both unbiased feet on the ground, I was reminded of the circumstances that shape our lives and perspectives. From the bustling metropolises to the remote corners of the globe, each individual navigates a unique path, molded by forces beyond their control. None of us had a choice over the circumstances of which we enter this world. As I reflect on my journey through Israel capturing these images, they are meant to serve as a reminder that in our shared humanity, lies the potential for both darkness and light—the fragility of existence, the resilience of the human spirit, and the enduring power of compassion in the face of adversity.
Some images from the series
