1901–1988 · Japan · Cinematographer
Asakazu Nakai
Kurosawa's camera for rain, mud and vast colour battlefields.
Seven Samurai, 1954Source: Wikipedia
CINEMATOGRAPHER · 1907–1997 · MEXICO
Gabriel Figueroa
Framing and chiaroscuro of Mexican cinema's golden age.
- Born
- 1907
- Died
- 1997
- Country
- Mexico
- Field
- Cinematographer
KNOWN FOR
- 1950Los olvidados
- 1947The Fugitive
- 1964The Night of the Iguana
- 1984Under the Volcano
WHY THEY MATTER
Nine Ariel Awards and the Golden Ariel for Lifetime Achievement (1987); first Mexican-born cinematographer nominated for an Academy Award, for The Night of the Iguana; prizes at Cannes and Venice; ASC International Award (1995).
THE LIFE
Figueroa is regarded as one of the greatest cinematographers of the golden age of Mexican cinema, with over 200 films. His first feature, Alla en el Rancho Grande, is considered the film that started that golden age. He shot twenty films with Emilio Fernandez, several of them prize-winners at Venice, Cannes and Berlin. For John Huston's The Night of the Iguana he became the first Mexican-born cinematographer nominated for an Academy Award.
Also born in 1900–1929
1901–1996 · United States · Cinematographer
John Alton
Hard shadows and pools of light that defined film noir.
T-Men, 1947Source: Wikipedia
1901–1974 · United States · Cinematographer
Leon Shamroy
Bold Technicolor of the Fox studio era.
Leave Her to Heaven, 1945Source: Wikipedia
1902–1998 · United Kingdom · Cinematographer
Freddie Young
Sweeping, lush widescreen colour.
Lawrence of Arabia, 1962Source: Wikipedia
1902–2000 · Italy · Cinematographer
Otello Martelli
Neorealist grit that opened up into Fellini's nocturnal spectacle.
La Dolce Vita, 1960Source: Wikipedia
1904–1948 · United States · Cinematographer
Gregg Toland
Deep focus, with near and far planes sharp at once.
Citizen Kane, 1941Source: Wikipedia