Documentarian, humorist, and sharp commentator on British society, Martin Parr is an indefatigable creative force. Throughout his prolific career, he has published 120 books, traversed the globe, and redefined photography—always capturing his favorite subject: people in their spontaneous everyday moments. There isn’t a place on Earth where Parr wouldn’t find someone or something compelling enough to seize his attention. Through his own words, those of his wife, and insights from art critics, fellow photographers, gallery owners, colleagues, and friends, the film sketches the portrait of an iconic, avant-garde artist who has immortalized the world in its raw, naturally dramatic humor.
In I Am Martin Parr, director Lee Shulman presents a pop, ironic, and engaging documentary that perfectly echoes the artistic vision and style of its charismatic subject.
Every location hides its own blend of eccentricity, tragedy, and humor—the challenge is to capture those fleeting moments as they occur. To seize these ephemeral instants, one must remain ever-vigilant and subtly blend into the environment, a strategy masterfully employed by British photographer Martin Parr, an ardent observer of life.
Now a fixture in the collective imagination, Parr’s images reveal a profound complexity: beneath the humorous, pop exterior of his photographs lies a tribute to the natural spontaneity of life, filled with absurd yet captivating details. His work masterfully balances what might seem like irreconcilable opposites: eccentricity with normalcy, involvement with detachment, satire with empathy, paradox with reality, humor with tragedy. As a pioneering photographer and insightful chronicler of British society, he has consistently defied academic biases, even founding a trust to support emerging documentary photographers—artists who often find themselves underestimated by critics and certain cultural circles.
His journey is recounted through the voices of friends, colleagues, musicians, gallery owners, and scholars, as well as through his own reflections. We follow Parr on his daily work routines, witnessing his engaging interactions with the subjects of his portraits. The narrative interweaves his photographs taken over the years, showcasing the evolution of his style—from black-and-white works to vibrant color images, including portraits of travelers, Japanese workers, and, most notably, the British middle class, culminating in his culinary projects.

About the Authors

The driving force behind The Anonymous Project is Lee Shulman. Born in London, he graduated from the University of Westminster with a BA in Art and Visual Culture. Currently based in Paris, he founded “The Anonymous Project” in 2017, which quickly grew into one of the largest collections of amateur photography slides.
It all started when he randomly purchased a box of slides online. He was immediately captivated by the stories and characters he discovered, opening a window into a forgotten collective memory that has since been revived through exhibitions, publications, and collaborative projects.
In April 2025, his work will be exhibited at the Kyotographie festival in Japan.