Armed Only With a Camera: The Life and Death of Brent Renaud

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Armed Only With a Camera: The Life and Death of Brent Renaud

2025

37m

Documentary

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8 Reviews

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Fewer than 50 Ratings

An intimate film about documentary filmmaker Brent Renaud, the first American journalist killed in Ukraine.

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Ty Burr

Ty Burr's Watch List (Substack)

Mar 17

3.5/4

A stirring reminder of the increasing threat to journalists around the globe.

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William Bibbiani

TheWrap

Feb 20

As an ode to a fallen journalist, 'Armed With Only a Camera' accomplishes the important goal of introducing us to Brent Renaud, making us care about him as a human being, and helping us understand the impact of his work.

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Chris Vognar

Boston Globe

Nov 20

The main character is Brent’s footage, which makes up most of the film, and captures the determination and compassion with which he worked. There’s something deeply wrong with anyone who watches him in action and thinks “enemy of the people.”

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Jennie Kermode

Eye for Film

Mar 16

4/5

The film is a little haphazard in structure, but is anything, this is an asset, reflecting he chaotic nature of Brent and Craig’s lives.

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Pete Hammond

Deadline Hollywood Daily

Feb 24

This engrossing film takes us all the way from Brent’s life journey to his open coffin and final resting place at home in Arkansas. In doing so it reminds us of the cost for journalists out on the front lines getting it all on camera.

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Christopher Lloyd

The Film Yap

Feb 17

4/5

A moving portrait of photojournalist and documentarian Brent Renaud, killed while covering the early days of the war in Ukraine in 2022.

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Mariana T

@M.Tezeta 5d

Relevant, impactful, memorable

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Oliver L

@RT87134382 Mar 6

Watching this documentary, especially in a theater, was one of the most impactful film experiences I've had. Really made me reflect on my privilege in just being born where I was born and how people not only grow numb to the pain and suffering abroad, but almost expect it. This documentary really showed me the power of film and I will be recommending this one to anyone who will listen. Absolutely incredible.

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Jonathan K

@aFIREintheattic Mar 1

Tragic, and far more moving than I was expecting. This documentary is really well done. The lives and humanity Brent captured, people caught in the crossfire, are devastating to watch. I hate war. This world really freaking sucks sometimes.

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Yash B

@yashbansal Jan 25

"Armed Only with a Camera: The Life and Death of Brent Renaud" is a documentary with important subject matter. I think Brent Renaud is a journalist who deserves to be celebrated. That being said, the documentary short is a bit unfocused in its structure, and I feel it could have been told in a more interesting and engaging way. Overall, I have a huge respect for the journalists who are willing to endanger their lives to report the reality of global situations, and I think this documentary is a decent watch.

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Elizabeth Y.

@Saylor17 Oct 27

Wish it was longer with more of his footage

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Taylor A

@RT01274148 Oct 23

This is an absolute must see; put down whatever you are doing and watch this. But also be ready for a heavy heart (viewer discretion certainly advised). It is both an intimate portrait of a man who gave his life to better this world one story at a time and a heart wrenching dose of reality about the hardship and horrors many people throughout the world face. You can tell that the filmakers (brother and friend of the subject- Brent Renaud) have poured their heart and soul into this work. Hopefully, this work will insipre more bold, humble, and authentic journalism to tell the stories of those who's voices are often unheard.

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Craig Renaud

Director

Tami Alpert

Producer

Juan Arredondo

Producer

Jeff Newton

Producer

Christof Putzel

Producer

Mami Kuwano Reunad

Producer

Armed Only with a Camera: The Life and Death of Brent Renaud: Trailer

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Synopsis

An intimate film about documentary filmmaker Brent Renaud, the first American journalist killed in Ukraine.

Director: Craig Renaud
Producer: Tami Alpert, Juan Arredondo, Jeff Newton, Christof Putzel, Mami Kuwano Reunad
Distributor: HBO
Production Co: HBO Documentary Films, Brainwomb, DCTV
Genre: Documentary
Original Language: English
Release Date (Streaming): Oct 21, 2025
Runtime: 37m

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