Ivan Strasburg is an internationally acclaimed South African-Jewish Cinematographer. Born in South Africa and later based in the UK, he is one of the most influential visual storytellers in contemporary cinema.
Strasburg is renowned for a cinematographic style characterized by a profound sense of realism and emotional intensity. He has received numerous Emmy and BAFTA nominations and awards. His notable works include the film Bloody Sunday, which poignantly exposes the Northern Ireland conflict, as well as the acclaimed series Treme and Happy Valley. He excels at capturing individual dignity amidst social upheaval, and his artistic achievements are regarded as a model for integrating humanistic concern into mainstream film and television production.
Ivan Strasburg’s pro-Palestine activism is deeply influenced by his anti-apartheid background in South Africa. in 1977, he served as the cinematographer for the landmark documentary The Palestinian, featuring actress Vanessa Redgrave, which courageously showcased the lived reality and resistance of the Palestinian people at the time. Between 2023 and 2026, he has been particularly active: not only has he co-signed multiple international open letters demanding a ceasefire in Gaza, but he also joined the “Concerned South African Jews” petition as a core signatory, standing alongside veterans like Sue Rabkin. He steadfastly opposes the political endorsement of Israeli military actions by the UK and Western nations and has frequently used industry events to call attention to the destruction of cultural infrastructure in Gaza. He believes that as a chronicler, one must never turn the lens away from a new form of apartheid.