film review: Cold War (Zimna wojna)

Directed by Pawel Pawlikowski
Written by Pawel Pawlikowski and Janusz Głowacki with Piotr Borkowski
  
ChinoKino score: A-

Review by Allan Tong

One of the best films of 2018 is Cold War from Poland. Sure, act three takes a few questionable turns, but Cold War boasts the best cinematography I have seen in a long time, shot in gorgeous black-and-white by Lukasz Zal and unusually framed in 4x3. The film is also driven by strong performances by Joanna Kulig and Tomasz Kot.

They play turbulent lovers in postwar Poland after Wictor (Kot) hires Zula (Kulig) to sing and dance in a folk music ensemble that crosses Communist Europe. They spark at first sight. Zula is emotional and impulsive. The stoic and handsome Wictor flees to Paris at the height of the Cold War and waits for Zula to join him. What happens after that is unpredictable and is satisfying depending on whether you believe the choices the lovers make (not entirely for me).

The American Society of Cinematographers announces 2016 ASC Awards nominees

The American Society of Cinematographers have announced their film nominees for their 30th ASC Awards.

“Our members have spoken with a fabulous group of choices,” says ASC President Richard Crudo. “The quality of the work is astounding, and it’s great to see we’re once again at the forefront of giving recognition where it’s due.”

“Each of the nominated films represents a different genre and a masterfully distinct visual style,” notes ASC Awards Chairman Daryn Okada. “We look forward to celebrating the extraordinary accomplishments of these nominees in February.”

American Society of Cinematographers presents 29th ASC Awards – winners

Emmanuel Lubezki, ASC, AMC; Jonathan Freeman, ASC; John Lindley, ASC; and Peter Flinckenberg, FSC earned top honors in the four competitive categories at the 29th Annual American Society of Cinematographers Awards for Outstanding Achievement. The ceremony took place last night at the Hyatt Regency Century Plaza. Lubezki won for the feature film Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance). Freeman won the episodic television category for Boardwalk Empire, and Lindley took the honours in the TV Movie/Miniseries/Pilot category for Manhattan. Winning the ASC Spotlight Award was Flinckenberg for Concrete Night.

Giovanni Ribisi presented the ASC Award for best feature to Lubezki, who also won the organization’s top prize last year for Gravity. This marks the first time that a cinematographer has won consecutive ASC Awards in the theatrical category. Lubezki previously won in 2012 for The Tree of Life and in 2007 for Children of Men, and earned a nomination in 2000 for Sleepy Hollow.

29th annual American Society of Cinematographers (ASC) Awards – nominations

Five directors of photography will vie for the American Society of Cinematographers (ASC) Award in the theatrical motion picture category at the organization’s 29th Outstanding Achievement Awards ceremony. “These nominees represent a fabulous slate selected from a particularly rich field of work this year,” says ASC President Richard Crudo. “It’s amazing how these cinematographers have once again redefined the boundaries of what we do.”

The American Society of Cinematographers (ASC) is a non-profit association dedicated to advancing the art of filmmaking. Since its charter in 1919, the ASC has been committed to educating aspiring filmmakers and others about the art and craft of cinematography. For additional information about the ASC, visit www.theasc.com. Join ASC on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/The.ASC and American Cinematographer magazine fan page at http://www.facebook.com/AmericanCinematographer.

Canadian Society of Cinematographers 57th annual CSC Awards – winners

The Canadian Society of Cinematographers held their 57th Annual CSC Awards tonight at the Westin Harbour Castle, Conference Centre. The event was hosted by film critic and television personality Richard Crouse.

Pierre Gill won for Theatrical Feature for his work on Juan Diego Solanas' science-fiction film Upside Down and also won the TV Series category for Copper. Gill had also been nominated for feature The Colony. He was the only multiple winner of the evening.

Canadian Society of Cinematographers presents 57th annual CSC Awards – nominations

The Canadian Society of Cinematographers has announced the nominations for the 57th annual CSC Awards. The nominees for Theatrical Feature were the cinematographers for The Colony, Upside Down and Haunter. The cinematographer for both The Colony and Upside Down was Pierre Gill, who was also nominated in the TV Series category for Copper. Jon Joffin was the cinematographer for Haunter and was also nominated for the TV Drama Ring of Fire.

Other cinematographers with multiple nominations were Jon Castell, Allan Leader, Kirk Neff, Jeremy Benning, Benjamin Lichty and Daniel Grant.

American Society of Cinematographers 2014 ASC Awards – winners

Emmanuel Lubezki, ASC, AMC; Jeremy Benning, CSC; Jonathan Freeman, ASC and Blake McClure earned top honors in the four competitive categories at the 28th Annual American Society of Cinematographers (ASC) Awards for Outstanding Achievement. The ceremony was held here tonight at the Ray Dolby Ballroom at Hollywood & Highland.

Lubezki won the ASC Award in the feature film competition for Gravity. Benning won the TV movie/miniseries award for Killing Lincoln. Freeman took home top honors in the one-hour episodic television category for Game of Thrones, and McClure was the recipient of the half-hour episodic series award for Drunk History.

Society of Camera Operators Awards 2013 – nominations announced

The Society of Camera Operators (SOC) will present its Camera Operator of the Year Awards at their Annual Awards Event, as announced today by SOC Vice President and Awards Executive Producer David Frederick, SOC.

The black-tie celebration announcing the winners will be held on February 15, 2014 at the Skirball Cultural Center. The SOC donates all proceeds from the Awards Event to the Vision Center at Children's Hospital Los Angeles to help children overcome vision deficits.

28th Annual American Society of Cinematographers (ASC) Awards – nominations

The American Society of Cinematographers (ASC) has announced nominations in the theatrical motion picture category of the 28th Annual ASC Awards for Outstanding Achievement.

“Our members believe these cinematographers have set the contemporary standard for artful, theatrical motion picture cinematography,” says ASC President Richard Crudo. “They have mastered a complex craft which contributes vitally to the storytelling process, and augments the intentions of everyone involved with the production.”

Canadian Society of Cinematographers (CSC) Awards 2013 – winners

The Canadian Society of Cinematographers hosted the ceremony last night for their 56th Annual CSC Awards at the Frontenac Ballroom of the Westin Harbour Castle.

The winner for Theatrical Feature Cinematography was Kamal Derkaoui for his work on The Tall Man by Pascal Laugier and starring Jessica Biel. For Documentary Cinematography, the winner was Vic Sarin for the shooting his own documentary Desert Riders.

In the television categories, the winners included Paul Sarossy for The Borgias and Glen Winter for Arrow.

Canadian Society of Cinematographers (CSC) Awards 2013 – nominations

The Canadian Society of Cinematographers has announced the nominations for the 56th Annual CSC Awards.

The nominees for Theatrical Feature Cinematography are Kamal Derkaoui for The Tall Man, Philippe Lavalette for Inch’Allah, and Brendan Steacy for The Lesser Blessed.

Cinematographers with multiple nominations include Adam Dabrowski, Nick Vyfschaft, Allan Leader, Kirk Neff, Vic Sarin, Pasha Patriki and Glen Winter.

American Society of Cinematographers (ASC) Awards – winners

Roger Deakins, ASC, BSC; Balazs Bolygo, HSC; Kramer Morgenthau, ASC; Florian Hoffmeister; and Bradford Lipson claimed top honors in the four competitive categories at the 27th Annual American Society of Cinematographers (ASC) Awards for Outstanding Achievement, which was held here tonight at the Grand Ballroom at Hollywood & Highland.

Deakins won the ASC Award in the feature film competition for SKYFALL. Bolygo and Morgenthau tied in the one-hour television episodic category for Cinemax’s HUNTED and HBO’s GAME OF THRONES, respectively. Hoffmeister won the TV movie/miniseries award for PBS’ GREAT EXPECTATIONS, and Lipson was the recipient of the half-hour television episodic category for FX’s WILFRED.

The ASC Award for best feature was presented by Emmy®-nominated actor John Slattery. Deakins, who was regrettably not able to attend, has previously won ASC Awards for THE SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION (1995) and THE MAN WHO WASN’T THERE (2002). His other ASC nominations include FARGO (1997), KUNDUN (1998), O BROTHER, WHERE ART THOU? (2001), NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN (2008), THE ASSASSINATION OF JESSE JAMES BY THE COWARD ROBERT FORD (2008), REVOLUTIONARY ROAD (2009), THE READER (2009), and TRUE GRIT (2011). He also received the organization’s Lifetime Achievement Award in 2011.

American Society of Cinematographers (ASC) Awards – nominations

The American Society of Cinematographers (ASC) has just announced the nominations for film for the 27th Annual ASC Awards.

Selecting along the same lines as BAFTA just a few hours ago, the ASC chose to nominated Seamus McGarvey, ASC, BSC, for Anna Karenina, Danny Cohen, BSC, for Les Misérables, Claudio Miranda, ASC, for Life of Pi, Janusz Kaminski for Lincoln, and Roger Deakins, ASC, BSC, for Skyfall.

Contending films that did not manage a mention include Kathryn Bigelow's Zero Dark Thirty, Tarantino's Django Unchained and Ben Affleck's Argo. Detractors of Les Misérables who complained incessantly about Hooper's DGA nomination will no doubt not be pleased with its ASC nomination for Danny Cohen. Many people seem to have objected to the unique filmmaking style and assumed (wrongly) that the approach was haphazard and shoddy, rather than artistic and groundbreaking in allowing an exceptional level of acting in a musical never before seen.

DOC Toronto Cinematography Day

DOC Toronto Cinematography Day sponsored by SIM Digital!

Join us on June 23 as some of documentary's best directors and DPs share adventures from the field, their essential tips for collaboration, getting the shot, and the latest techniques and technologies.

NEW LOCATION!

Ryerson University, Heidelberg Centre

2012 CSC Awards (Canadian Society of Cinematographers) – winners

The Canadian Society of Cinematographers held their 55th Annual CSC Awards this weekend at Westin Harbour Castle Conference Centre in Toronto.

The CSC Award winner for Theatrical Feature Cinematography was Jon Joffin for his work on Michael Goldbach's Daydream Nation. He won out over David Greene who lensed The Entitled , and Ronald Plantewho was nominated for both Funky Town and the Oscar-nominee Monsieur Lazhar.

The Robert Brooks Award for Documentary Cinematography went to Stephen Whitehead for A People Uncounted. He had been up against René Jean Collins for Lost Years: A People’s Struggle for Justice and John Minh Tran for the film Standing Wave, from The National Parks Project.

2012 American Society of Cinematographers ASC Awards - winners

The American Society of Cinematographers held their awards ceremony for the 26th Annual ASC Outstanding Achievement Awards last night at the Hollywood & Highland Grand Ballroom.

Their top prize for Outstanding Achievement in Motion Picture Cinematography went to Emmanuel Lubezki for photographing The Tree of Life. He won out over Guillaume Schiffman (The Artist), Jeff Cronenweth (The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo), Robert Richardson (Hugo) and Hoyte van Hoytema (Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy). Lubezki is a previous ASC Award winner in 2006 for Children of Men, and has been nominated for the Academy Award five times (including for The Tree of Life) though has yet to win.

For television, Jonathan Freeman won for the second year in a row with his lensing of the episode “21” from Boardwalk Empire. He bested his fellow Boardwalk Empire colleague David Franco as well as David Katznelson (Downton Abbey), John Lindley (Pan Am) and David Stockton (Chase).

The winner for Television Movie/Miniseries was Martin Ruhe for Page Eight. For Half-hour Episodic Series or Pilot, the winner was Michael Weaver for Showtime’s Californication.

2012 American Society of Cinematographers ASC Awards - nominees

The American Society of Cinematographers has announced the film nominees for the 26th Annual ASC Outstanding Achievement Awards.

The nominees for Motion Picture Cinematography are Guillaume Schiffman for The Artist, Jeff Cronenweth for The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, Robert Richardson for Hugo, Hoyte van Hoytema for Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy and Emmanuel Lubezki for The Tree of Life.

Lubezki has been nominated for the ASC Award twice before, winning in 2007 for Children of Men. This is Cronenweth's second consecutive nomination after being nominated last year for The Social Network. For Richardson, this is his 10th nomination, while Schiffman and van Hoytema are both nominated for the first time.

A surprise omission was Janusz Kaminski's who was cinematographer for Steven Spielberg's War Horse.

Inaugural Toronto International Stereoscopic 3D Conference, June 11-14

Today is the launch of the first ever Toronto International Stereoscopic 3D Conference. Organized by York University and 3D FLIC, the event promises to be a "one of a kind international gathering of experts in the stereoscopic 3D art and entertainment arena."

The conference kicks off with a bang with renowned German director Wim Wenders presenting a Keynote/Masterclass. His latest award-winning film is PINA, a 3D feature documentary about the legendary dancer and choreographer Pina Bausch.

Other highlights include a screening and post-production case study on Resident Evil: Afterlife with producer Don Carmody and the post-production team, and other Keynote/Masterclasses by Peter Anderson, ASC – On Stereography and by Catherine Owens - On Directing 3D.

This is sure to be an interesting event, especially since 3D has undergone a decline after the huge excitement created by Avatar. After overcharging for bad conversions, recent controversies about low light levels in 3D projection at theatres, ongoing campaigns against 3D by Roger Ebert and others against 3D, and criticism within the industry as 3D ticket sales collapse, 3D is an important filmmaking tool and technique that is in danger of becoming extinct.

Christopher Doyle in person at INDEXG and TIFF Lightbox

Legendary cinematographer and director Christopher Doyle is in Toronto and will be appearing live today at two different events. One is an artist reception at INDEXG in the late afternoon, and the other is an appearance at the TIFF Bell Lightbox for In Conversation With...Christopher Doyle on Chungking Express to discuss his work on Wong Kar-wai's masterpiece.

And check out this article 5 Questions with Chris Doyle by my good friend Allan Tong on FILMbutton.

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XPECIAL CHRISTOPHER DOYLE

特別杜可風
An exhibition of photographs by Christopher Doyle. Plus, new video work and artifacts from his new book in progress

Exhibition starts from April 20, through May 15, 2011

Artist Reception:
Saturday, April 23, (3-5 pm)
Meet Christopher Doyle

2011 Canadian Society of Cinematographers (CSC) Awards - winners

The Canadian Society of Cinematographers held their gala awards ceremony for the 2011 CSC Awards last night at the Frontenac Ballroom, Westin Harbour Castle in Toronto. The winner for Feature Film cinematography was Nicolas Bolduc for his work in Kim Nguyen's La Cité. He emerged victorious against fellow nominees Paul Sarossy (a double nominee for both Chloe and The Duel), Brendan Steacy (Small Town Murder Songs) and Adam Swica (Casino Jack).

On the television side, Ousama Rawi was a double winner for TV Drama with Ben Hur (Night 2), and for TV Series with The Tudors “Ep. 410”.

The winner for Short Film was Craig Wrobleski for June.

For a full list of the nominees, click here.