I must confess that I have never been a huge fan of documentaries. Of course, Depardon’s work is incredible – even though to me “1974” is more a film than a doc -, but in general, I easily get bored.Nevertheless, after watching The Cameraman, I had to write an article about it. Maybe it’s because I devour films & anything related to cinema, but this one is really something.
The Cameraman is the British Jack Cardiff, (1914 – 2009), probably the biggest genius in cinematography known as for today – but also a photographer and a director as well -. He started as an assistant on silent films and saw the arrival of Technicolor. He worked with Powell, Huston, Hitchcock, Mankiewicz (!) and got the privilege to shoot the most beautiful women on this planet – Claudia Cardinale, Marilyn Monroe, Ava Gardner, Sophia Loren, Audrey Hepburn, Katharine Hepburn. In 2001, he became the first and only cinematographer to receive an honorary, Lifetime Achievement Oscar. In a word, he was – still is and will always be - a legend, but an unknown one.
The Red Shoes (1948, Powell & Pressburger) is the first film Martin Scorsese saw, at age 8. He actually said about it: “I wouldn’t know how to begin to explain what this film has meant to me over the years. It’s about the joy and exuberance of film-making itself... one of the true miracles of film history.” One of the big things about it is that, for the ballet scenes, the camera used the dancer's point of view - which gives the viewer a whole different perspective and sensation -.
Black Narcissus (1947, Powell & Pressburger) won the Academy Award for Best Cinematography.
The Barefoot Contessa (1954, Mankiewicz) stars Humphrey Bogart and Ava Gardner. It is one of the first films I ever saw and probably one of my favorites. Ava is a goddess, the cinematography is incredible. It's definitely a masterpiece.
A famous scene, during which Maria (Ava Gardner) dances with gypsies after becoming a movie star. One of the most powerful scenes in cinema history.
This film/ doc is a celebration of Jack Cardiff's work, of his life, of his accomplishments. From the beginning, in 1918, when he started as a child actor at age four, until the end, even though there is no real end, because he still inspires today’s greatest directors, De Palma, Scorsese, but also many others. For that, I must thank Craig McCall for making such a wonderful doc. It is now impossible to forget about Jack Cardiff, and about all the great films he's work one, all the actors and actresses that are now dead but were iconic and also about how cinema evolved. It is important to come back to the beginning and not to forget about some movies. So please, when it's out, wherever you are, GO SEE IT.
MJ.
