‘Brent’s end was poetic’: the life and death of first US journalist killed in Russia-Ukraine war

Armed Only with a Camera is directed by Brent’s brother and collaborator, Craig, and produced by Juan Arredondo, who was also shot during the ambush that killed Brent

It’s a journalist’s role to stay behind the scenes. But sometimes, a reporter’s extraordinary life becomes the story itself.

Such is the case with Brent Renaud, an award-winning documentary film-maker who was the first American journalist killed, at the age of 51, in the Russia-Ukraine war. His life and death are captured in a new, intimate documentary that debuted in Los Angeles at the 21st annual HollyShorts film festival earlier this month.

Armed Only With a Camera: The Life and Death of Brent Renaud has just received the Audience award at SXSW and will be available to stream on HBO on 21 October 2025

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