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The Candid Frame: Conversations on Photography

TCF Ep. 652 - Ilie Mitaru

The Candid Frame: Conversations on Photography

Ibarionex R. Perello

Cameras, Art, Photoshop, Visual Arts, Career, Interviews, Photographers, Arts, Photography, Photo, Digital

4.8 • 749 Ratings

🗓️ 8 June 2025

⏱️ 58 minutes

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

When filmmaker Ilie Mitaru first discovered Serbest Salih’s Instagram feed, he was struck by the power of the photographs—vivid, intimate images made by children from displaced and marginalized communities across Turkey. These weren’t typical snapshots. They revealed a bold visual instinct and emotional clarity that defied the children’s limited experience behind the camera. Ilie saw not just compelling photographs, but a powerful story of self-expression—one that urgently needed telling. That story became First Frames, a film that shifts focus away from trauma and instead highlights the playful, curious, and complex inner lives of its young image-makers. Rather than treating the children as passive subjects, Ilie embraced their perspective—amplifying their imaginations and voices. The result is a vibrant, deeply human portrait told through the children’s own lenses, reminding us that some of the most resonant stories come from those who are so often overlooked. Resources: Ilie Mitaru First Frames Film Serbest Salih’s Instagram Altadena Photographers Support Ibarionex & The Candid Frame Websites Sponsors Charcoal Book Club Frames Magazine Education Resources: Momenta Photographic Workshops Candid Frame Resources Download the free Candid Frame app for your favorite smart device. Click here to download it for . Click here to download Contribute a one-time donation to the show thru Buy Me a Coffee Support the work at The Candid Frame by contributing to our Patreon effort.  You can do this by visiting or the website and clicking on the Patreon button. You can also provide a one-time donation via . You can follow Ibarionex on and .

Transcript

Click on a timestamp to play from that location

0:00.0

When filmmaker Ilya Maitaru first came across service Sali's Instagram feed,

0:13.0

he was immediately struck by the power of the images, photographs made by children from displaced and marginalized communities across Turkey.

0:22.6

These weren't typical snapshots.

0:24.6

They were visceral, energetic, and deeply intimate.

0:28.6

Images that revealed not only a sharp visual instinct, but also a sense of confidence and presence

0:34.6

that bellied the children's limited experience of photography.

0:38.3

Ilya knew it was a story he had to tell.

0:41.3

The story became first frames, a film that doesn't center on hardship or trauma,

0:46.3

but instead honors the perspective of the children behind the lens.

0:51.3

Elia was not interested in portraying them as passive subjects of their circumstances.

0:57.4

He wanted to embrace the weird, quirky, magical nature of their thinking

1:01.7

and show them as playful, resilient, and complex individuals.

1:06.7

First Frames invites us into their world,

1:10.4

allowing us to witness their friendships, curiosities,

1:13.8

frustrations, and imaginations through their eyes and in their own voices.

1:19.2

This is Ibadian X, and this is The Candid Frame.

1:28.3

Helic, welcome to The Candid Frame.

1:30.5

I'm really excited to have you and talk to you about your wonderful film.

1:34.8

Thank you for having.

1:36.4

Yeah.

1:37.3

Yeah, just looking through your CV, you've accomplished a lot as a filmmaker.

1:42.2

Before we get into the story of the first frames, talk to me about your journey as a filmmaker. Before we get into the story of first frames, talk to me about your journey as a filmmaker,

...

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