Love + War: Free Solo Filmmakers Spotlight Lynsey Addario in Powerful War Documentary

The new documentary Love + War, from Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi and Jimmy Chin (Free Solo), offers an intimate portrait of Pulitzer Prize-winning photojournalist Lynsey Addario, blending her harrowing work on the frontlines of global conflicts with the challenges of maintaining a family life at home.

Premiering at the Toronto International Film Festival, the film opens with haunting footage from Ukraine in February 2022, just before Russia’s full-scale invasion. Against this backdrop, Addario emerges as a captivating subject: brave, witty, and unflinchingly honest. Her now-iconic photo of Ukrainian soldiers rushing to aid the bodies of a family killed by mortar fire became one of the defining images of the war’s early days.

A Career on the Frontlines

Love + War retraces Addario’s career across war zones in Ukraine, Iraq, and Afghanistan, showcasing her extraordinary ability to capture humanity amid chaos. Through interviews with colleagues, archival images, and on-the-ground footage, the filmmakers highlight her dedication to giving civilians a voice in times of crisis.

Balancing War and Family Life

The documentary’s emotional core lies in Addario’s domestic life in London, where she lives with her husband, former Reuters journalist Paul de Bendern, and their two young sons. Addario admits she never envisioned herself as a mother until a near-death experience shifted her perspective. Still, the film candidly explores the strain between her work and family life: her children grapple with her long absences, while she confesses that she feels “most at home” when on assignment.

By juxtaposing her professional passion with her family’s frustrations, Love + War avoids turning Addario into a saint. Instead, it humanizes her—acknowledging both her drive and the costs of pursuing it.

Gender and the Toll of War Journalism

The film also addresses the gender imbalance in war photography, spotlighting Addario’s role in a field often coded as male. Colleagues like Dexter Filkins discuss the heavy toll war reporting takes on personal lives, darkly reflecting on the emotional scars carried by correspondents.

A Flawed but Compelling Portrait

While the documentary occasionally feels surface-level, particularly in its handling of Addario’s capture in Libya—a traumatic experience that serves as the film’s climax—its overall impact is powerful. By presenting Addario as both a fearless professional and a vulnerable human, Vasarhelyi and Chin craft a nuanced, thought-provoking portrait.

With National Geographic set to release the film, Love + War promises to spark vital conversations about the sacrifices of war journalists and the personal costs of bearing witness to humanity’s darkest moments.