Civil War: Chronicling Chaos Rob Hardy, ASC, BSC; director Alex Garland; and effects experts collaborate on a vision of warring American states presented through photojournalists' eyes. By Joe Fordham I 18 / JUNE 2024 n Civil War, a near-future America is torn between a radicalized U.S. president (played by Nick Offerman) and the " Western Forces " alliance of California and Texas. Director Alex Garland and cinematographer Rob Hardy, ASC, BSC - collaborating on their fifth feature - made combat photography integral to their vision, framing the drama through the lens of a renowned photojournalist covering the events. " Our approach was always about what it must feel like to be present in a war zone, " says Hardy. " We wanted to create an authentic immersive experience. "