Andy, my friend, All the stories and tributes about how brave you were, about your singular and steadfast gaze on the small and vulnerable in the midst of chaos, about how kids loved you and you loved them, about how and why your work was riveting and important, all of these are true. It is …
Monthly Archives: March 2019
Andy
When I think of Andy, I think of goofiness. I know, he spent his time in war zones, embedded with Nigerian rebel groups, or elsewhere, but that’s not what we talked about. We talked about our love of big sandwiches over hamburgers. I’d look forward to seeing him at BBQs or where ever — if …
Remembering Andy
I’ve been struggling to put pen to paper about Andy, not because there aren’t great things to say about him, but because writing something about him makes his passing all the more real and true. I met Andy randomly one night back in 2011 at a neighborhood bar. I was saving a stool for a …
Iron Wit
by R. Hooman One of the things I loved about Andy, and maybe even the reason we connected so well, is my propensity to dish it hard no holds barred and Andy’s unflinching quality to dish it right back harder. Didn’t really matter what I hurled at him or when, he had a sharp and …
Remembering one of my oldest and best friends
by Jason Gardner A few days ago I lost one of my closest friends, one I’ve known since kindergarten. Andrew Lukas Berends was an extremely gifted artist, filmmaker, photographer, musician, documentarian, and a humanist. Quite concerned with the human condition around him, tackling difficult and serious subjects, he also could be super silly and goofy …
Continue reading “Remembering one of my oldest and best friends”
Reflections on Andrew Berends
By James Longley From ida article here Andrew Berends wasn’t interested in becoming a martyr to the documentary film community or anyone else. Andy just wanted to be happy, and to be free from the physical and emotional agony he was feeling. Andy had simple dreams. He wanted to kiss that girl again—the one he …
Mariah Wilson
I had the privilege of working with Andrew Berends on his film Madina’s Dream in 2014/2015. Andy was one of the bravest people I’ve ever met. His stories of being under fire in Iraq and detained in Nigeria while working on docs were beyond crazy – but for him, it was just part of his work. He was so …
Chai Vasarhelyi
Director of Free solo, from INSTAGRAM chaivasarhelyiWe have lost a wonderful friend and an important filmmaker – Andrew Berends. I first met Andy in 2006 when I saw his film Blood of my Brother. I was taken by his poignant and human images and asked our mutual friend Gwyn Welles to introduce us. We found …
Aaron Soffin
I last saw Andy a few weeks ago and am feeling devastated, like so many of you. I am very grateful for all of your memories of Andy. There’s some comfort in your words, and so I will try and share some of my memories as well. I was lucky enough to work with Andy …
From Melissa
A time it was, and what a time it was, it wasA time of innocenceA time of confidences Long ago it must beI have a photographPreserve your memoriesThey’re all that’s left you