Jim: The James Foley Story (HBO)

About Jim: The James Foley Story (HBO)

'Jim: The James Foley Story' is a powerful documentary released in 2016 about the life and tragic death of American photojournalist James 'Jim' Foley, who was kidnapped by ISIS in Syria and subsequently executed. Directed by Brian Oakes, a childhood friend of Foley, the film uses intimate interviews with his family, friends, and fellow journalists, as well as Foley’s own footage, to paint a picture of a compassionate and brave journalist dedicated to documenting the suffering of civilians in conflict zones. This documentary humanizes the man behind the headlines, revealing the cost of war not only for those who experience it first-hand but those who are left behind.

Making / Production

The film was a deeply personal project for director Brian Oakes, who had been friends with Foley since they were young children. Oakes spent over a year carefully interviewing Foley’s loved ones and colleagues and sorting through his personal letters and video footage to paint a comprehensive picture of who Foley was, his motivations, and the impact his loss had on those who knew him.

Actors

• Brian Oakes - Himself/Director. Oakes delivers a heart-touching narration and his personal connection to Foley offers a closer insight into Foley's personality.
• James Foley - Himself (archive footage). Footage of Foley and his work gives a glimpse into his life and work as a photojournalist in conflict zones.
• Diane Foley - Herself. As Foley's mother, Diane offers an emotional perspective on her son's life and death.

Trivia / Interesting Facts

• The film was made by HBO Documentary Films, a division of the well-known television network that is known for its high-quality, in-depth documentaries.
• Director Brian Oakes was a childhood friend of James Foley, making this film a deeply personal project.
• James Foley is one of 70 journalists documented as being killed by ISIS till date.

Awards

The film won the Audience Award for U.S. Documentary at the 2016 Sundance Film Festival. It was also nominated for Primetime Emmy in "Outstanding Documentary or Nonfiction Special" category.

Quotes

• "Journalism is not a crime, it's a human right."
• "It was entirely possible that I could die alone in this cell."

Music, Soundtrack

• The original score for 'Jim: The James Foley Story' was composed by Dan Romer and Saul Simon MacWilliams.
• The song 'Two of Us on the Run' by Lucius is included in the soundtrack.