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‘Ernest Cole: Lost and Found’: Magnolia Pictures Drops Documentary Trailer on South Africa’s First Black Freelance Photographer During Apartheid

Ernest Cole: Lost and Found

Magnolia Pictures has released the official trailer for Ernest Cole: Lost and Found, a documentary that brings to light the extraordinary life and work of South Africa’s first Black freelance photographer during the apartheid era. While Ernest Cole’s name may not be widely known today, his legacy was never truly forgotten—his powerful images have always been a testament to his role in exposing the brutal realities of apartheid, and now, with this film, his story is being reintroduced to a new generation.

Premiering in select U.S. theaters on November 27th, Ernest Cole: Lost and Found follows Cole’s courageous journey as a photographer who risked everything to capture the truth. His photographs, published in the internationally acclaimed book House of Bondage, revealed the harsh conditions of Black life under apartheid, work that was so incendiary it was banned in South Africa. Despite the repression, Cole’s images gained significant recognition worldwide, showcasing the horrors of apartheid and drawing attention to the brutal racial segregation system. His work forced him into exile in the United States, where he continued documenting Black life, this time focusing on the civil rights struggles in America.

The documentary, directed by the celebrated Raoul Peck (I Am Not Your Negro), explores not only Cole’s career but also the rediscovery of his vast archive of more than 60,000 photographs in 2017. These images, once thought lost, were found in a bank vault in Stockholm, allowing Cole’s work to come back into focus after decades of obscurity. Narrated by LaKeith Stanfield, Ernest Cole: Lost and Found paints an intimate portrait of Cole’s life, his mission to document structural oppression, and the immense personal cost of his truth-telling.

While his work may have been hidden for years, Cole’s legacy as one of the most influential photographers of his time never disappeared. His images spoke truth to power during apartheid, and now, with this film, his story will resonate once again. Ernest Cole: Lost and Found is more than a documentary—it’s a reminder that Cole’s vision, courage, and artistry have always been present, waiting for their rightful place in history.

Set to debut in select theaters on November 27th, this is a must-watch for anyone passionate about social justice, photography, or untold Black history. Watch the official trailer and mark your calendars—Ernest Cole’s work is once again stepping into the light.

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