Willy Ronis

Legendary photographer Willy Ronis has spent a lifetime in Paris, his favourite city for over 70 years. He is regarded as one of the most important representatives of the humanistic approach to photography. Set against the backdrop of his self-portraits and other impressive works, this FotoTV film presents a captivating interview with Ronis who talks about his art and his career. He tells the stories behind his now-famous photos from the historical photograph to more intimate scenes.

Like his contemporaries Ronis was intrigued with the people of France—how they live and work—and in the unique qualities that make his country so appealing. Working with available light, Ronis set out to capture the fleeting moments of everyday life, and his body of work documents, with timeless beauty and grace, the feel of French life in the 20th century.

Obligated to work as a portrait photographer, Ronis had to take over his father's portrait studio at a young age for four years due to illness. It was during those four rough years in which Ronis learned more about the style of photography that truly interested him: Pictorial photography. It was in that moment of self-discovery that his journey began, transcending him into a key figure in the history of French photography.

This special film highlights personal stories told by one one of France’s greatest living photographers and features his most important books and images from a long and distinguished career.