James Brabazon

Who is James Brabazon?

James Martin Brabazon, is a British documentary filmmaker, journalist, and author.

Brabazon is best known for his work in conflict situations. He first gained attention as the only journalist to film the LURD rebel group fighting to overthrow President Charles Taylor during the Second Liberian Civil War.

While in Liberia, Brabazon encountered South African mercenary Nick du Toit and hired him as his bodyguard. Brabazon’s memoir My Friend the Mercenary recounts his experiences of the Liberian civil war, his friendship with du Toit, and du Toit’s subsequent role in the failed Equatorial Guinea coup attempt.

In 2013 Brabazon produced the HBO documentary Which Way Is The Frontline From Here? The Life and Time of Tim Hetherington. The documentary tells the story of photographer Tim Hetherington, Brabazon’s friend and collaborator, who was killed while reporting on the Libyan civil war in April 2011. The documentary was shortlisted for the Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature.