Emmanuel Lubezki
Emmanuel Lubezki Morgenstern, AMC, ASC (Spanish pronunciation: [emaˈnwel luˈβeski]; born 30 November 1964) is a Mexican cinematographer.[1] He sometimes goes by the nickname Chivo, which means "goat" in Spanish.[2][3] Lubezki has worked with many acclaimed directors, including Mike Nichols, Tim Burton, Michael Mann, Joel and Ethan Coen, and frequent collaborators Terrence Malick, Alfonso Cuarón, and Alejandro González Iñárritu.[4]
Emmanuel Lubezki | |
---|---|
Born | Emmanuel Lubezki Morgenstern November 30, 1964 (age 55) |
Other names | Chivo |
Alma mater | National Autonomous University of Mexico |
Occupation | Cinematographer |
Years active | 1983–present |
Organization | Mexican Society of Cinematographers American Society of Cinematographers |
Awards | Academy Award for Best Cinematography 2015 The Revenant 2014 Birdman 2013 Gravity BAFTA Award for Best Cinematography Ariel Award for Best Cinematography 2014 Birdman |
Lubezki is known for groundbreaking uses of natural lighting and continuous uninterrupted shots in cinematography, often utilizing a Steadicam, a 3-axis gimbal, or hand-held camera to orchestrate fluid, uninterrupted camera movements during particularly significant scenes. His work has been praised by audiences and critics alike, which earned him multiple awards, including eight Academy Award nominations for Best Cinematography. He won in this category three times, becoming the first person to do so in three consecutive years, for Gravity (2013), Birdman (2014), and The Revenant (2015).
Early life
Lubezki was born to a Jewish family in Mexico City, Mexico.[4][5][6] His father is actor and producer Muni Lubezki.[7] His grandmother is from Russia.[8] Lubezki studied film at Mexico's Centro Universitario de Estudios Cinematográficos (CUEC), where he met Alfonso Cuarón.[4]
Career
Lubezki began his career in Mexican film and television productions in the late 1980s. His first international production was the 1993 independent film Twenty Bucks, which followed the journey of a single twenty-dollar bill.
Lubezki is a frequent collaborator with fellow Mexican filmmaker Alfonso Cuarón. The two have been friends since they were teenagers and attended the same film school[9] at the National Autonomous University of Mexico.[2] Together they have worked on six motion pictures: Sólo Con Tu Pareja, A Little Princess, Great Expectations, Y Tu Mamá También, Children of Men, and Gravity. His work with Cuarón on Children of Men (2006) has received universal acclaim.[10] The film utilized a number of new technologies and distinctive techniques. The "roadside ambush" scene was shot in one extended take utilizing a special camera rig invented by Doggicam systems, developed from the company's Power Slide system.[11] For the scene, a vehicle was modified to enable seats to tilt and lower actors out of the way of the camera. The windshield of the car was designed to tilt out of the way to allow camera movement in and out through the front windscreen. A crew of four, including Lubezki, rode on the roof. Children of Men also features a seven-and-a-half-minute battle sequence composed of roughly five seamless edits.
Lubezki won his first Academy Award for Best Cinematography for his work on Cuarón's Gravity, a thriller set in outer space.[12][13] The film was praised for the way it combined two shots through digital backgrounds of space to create the illusion of scenes done in a single shot.[14] Lubezki won his second Academy Award for Best Cinematography in the following year for his work on Alejandro González Iñárritu's Birdman. The film used a similar technique from Gravity, being very unusual in the way the entire movie was shot so as to appear to be photographed in one continuous take.[15] Lubezki won the award again in 2015 for Iñárritu's The Revenant, becoming a milestone for his third consecutive win and for being the first cinematographer to do so.[16] The film was shot entirely in the wilderness during a cold season, minimizing the amount of CGI and using only natural lighting. It was an extremely difficult process that required a limited amount of time to shoot each scene, which delayed the production, causing budget overruns and changes of locations for proper settings. However, The Revenant earned over $500 million at the box office and received critical acclaim, with much praise for the film's atmospheric tone and realism.
Lubezki won the Royal Photographic Society Lumière Award for major achievement in cinematography, video or animation in 2016.
Filmography
Denotes films that have not yet been released |
Film
Short films
Year | Title | Director | Note |
---|---|---|---|
1983 | Vengeance Is Mine | Alfonso Cuarón Carlos Marcovich |
|
1985 | Sera por eso que la quiero tanto | Carlos Marcovich | |
1988 | Los buzos diamantistas | Marcela Couturier | |
1990 | La muchacha | Dorotea Guerra | |
2002 | From Mesmer, with Love or Tea for Two | Alejandro Lubezki Salvador Aguirre |
|
2010 | Write the Future | Alejandro González Iñárritu | |
2017 | Flesh and Sand |
Television
Year | Title | Note |
---|---|---|
1989-90 | La hora marcada | 8 episodes |
1990 | El motel de la muerte | Television film |
1993 | Fallen Angels | 2 episodes |
2010 | Dick Tracy Special | Television film |
Awards and nominations
Year | Association | Category | Work | Result |
---|---|---|---|---|
1992 | Academia Mexicana de Artes y Ciencias Cinematográficas | Best Cinematography (Mejor Fotografía) | Sólo con Tu Pareja | Nominated |
Academia Mexicana de Artes y Ciencias Cinematográficas | Best Cinematography (Mejor Fotografía) | Like Water for Chocolate | Won | |
1993 | Academia Mexicana de Artes y Ciencias Cinematográficas | Best Cinematography (Mejor Fotografía) | Miroslava | Won |
1994 | Academia Mexicana de Artes y Ciencias Cinematográficas | Best Cinematography (Mejor Fotografía) | Ámbar | Won |
National Cable & Telecommunications Association | Direction of Photography in a Comedy or Dramatic Series | Fallen Angels | Won | |
1996 | Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences | Best Cinematography | A Little Princess | Nominated |
2000 | American Society of Cinematographers | Outstanding Achievement in Cinematography in Theatrical Releases | Sleepy Hollow | Nominated |
Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences | Best Cinematography | Sleepy Hollow | Nominated | |
Chlotrudis Society for Independent Film | Best Cinematography | Sleepy Hollow | Nominated | |
International Press Academy | Best Cinematography | Sleepy Hollow | Won | |
2003 | Chlotrudis Society for Independent Film | Best Cinematography | Y tu mamá también | Nominated |
2004 | International Press Academy | Best Cinematography | A Series of Unfortunate Events | Nominated |
2005 | Village Voice Film Poll | Best Cinematography | The New World | Nominated |
2006 | Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences | Best Cinematography | The New World | Nominated |
British Society of Cinematographers | Best Cinematography in a Feature Film | Children of Men | Nominated | |
IndieWire Critics Poll | Best Cinematography | Children of Men | Won | |
2007 | American Society of Cinematographers | Outstanding Achievement in Cinematography in Theatrical Releases | Children of Men | Won |
Australian Cinematographers Society | International Award | Children of Men | Won | |
Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences | Best Cinematography | Children of Men | Nominated | |
British Academy of Film and Television Arts | Best Cinematography | Children of Men | Won | |
2011 | Hollywood Film Awards | Cinematographer of the Year | The Tree of Life | Won |
IndieWire Critics Poll | Best Cinematography | The Tree of Life | Won | |
International Press Academy | Best Cinematography | The Tree of Life | Nominated | |
2012 | American Society of Cinematographers | Outstanding Achievement in Cinematography in Theatrical Releases | The Tree of Life | Won |
Australian Cinematographers Society | International Award | The Tree of Life | Won | |
British Society of Cinematographers | Best Cinematography in a Feature Film | The Tree of Life | Nominated | |
Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences | Best Cinematography | The Tree of Life | Nominated | |
Chlotrudis Society for Independent Film | Best Cinematography | The Tree of Life | Nominated | |
2013 | IndieWire Critics Poll | Best Cinematography | Gravity | Won |
International Press Academy | Best Cinematography | Gravity | Nominated | |
2014 | American Society of Cinematographers | Outstanding Achievement in Cinematography in Theatrical Releases | Gravity | Won |
British Society of Cinematographers | Best Cinematography in a Feature Film | Gravity | Nominated | |
Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences | Best Cinematography | Gravity | Won | |
Hollywood Film Awards | Cinematographer of the Year | Birdman | Won | |
British Academy of Film and Television Arts | Best Cinematography | Gravity | Won | |
IndieWire Critics Poll | Best Cinematography | Birdman | Won | |
International Press Academy | Best Cinematography | Birdman | Nominated | |
Visual Effects Society | Outstanding Virtual Cinematography in a Live Action Feature Motion Picture | Gravity | Won | |
2015 | American Society of Cinematographers | Outstanding Achievement in Cinematography in Theatrical Releases | Birdman | Won |
British Society of Cinematographers | Best Cinematography in a Feature Film | Birdman | Nominated | |
Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences | Best Cinematography | Birdman | Won | |
British Academy of Film and Television Arts | Best Cinematography | Birdman | Won | |
Chlotrudis Society for Independent Film | Best Cinematography | Birdman | Nominated | |
Independent Spirit Awards | Best Cinematography | Birdman | Won | |
International Press Academy | Best Cinematography | The Revenant | Nominated | |
2016 | American Society of Cinematographers | Outstanding Achievement in Cinematography in Theatrical Releases | The Revenant | Won |
British Society of Cinematographers | Best Cinematography in a Feature Film | The Revenant | Nominated | |
Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences | Best Cinematography | The Revenant | Won | |
British Academy of Film and Television Arts | Best Cinematography | The Revenant | Won | |
IndieWire Critics Poll | Best Cinematography | Knight of Cups | Nominated |
Critics awards
Year | Association | Category | Work | Result |
---|---|---|---|---|
1996 | Chicago Film Critics Association | Best Cinematography | A Walk in the Clouds | Nominated |
1999 | Boston Society of Film Critics | Best Cinematography | Sleepy Hollow | Won |
New York Film Critics Circle | Best Cinematographer | Sleepy Hollow | Nominated | |
2000 | Chicago Film Critics Association | Best Cinematography | Sleepy Hollow | Nominated |
National Society of Film Critics | Best Cinematography | Sleepy Hollow | Nominated | |
2005 | Dallas–Fort Worth Film Critics Association | Best Cinematography | The New World | Nominated |
New York Film Critics Circle | Best Cinematographer | The New World | Nominated | |
San Diego Film Critics Society | Best Cinematography | The New World | Won | |
2006 | Chicago Film Critics Association | Best Cinematography | Children of Men | Won |
Chicago Film Critics Association | Best Cinematography | The New World | Nominated | |
Dallas–Fort Worth Film Critics Association | Best Cinematography | Children of Men | Nominated | |
Los Angeles Film Critics Association | Best Cinematography | Children of Men | Won | |
National Society of Film Critics | Best Cinematography | The New World | Nominated | |
New York Film Critics Circle | Best Cinematographer | Children of Men | Nominated | |
2007 | Austin Film Critics Association | Best Cinematography | Children of Men | Won |
National Society of Film Critics | Best Cinematography | Children of Men | Won | |
2011 | Austin Film Critics Association | Best Cinematography | The Tree of Life | Won |
Boston Society of Film Critics | Best Cinematography | The Tree of Life | Won | |
Chicago Film Critics Association | Best Cinematography | The Tree of Life | Won | |
Dallas–Fort Worth Film Critics Association | Best Cinematography | The Tree of Life | Won | |
Houston Film Critics Society | Best Cinematography | The Tree of Life | Won | |
Florida Film Critics Circle | Best Cinematography | The Tree of Life | Won | |
Los Angeles Film Critics Association | Best Cinematography | The Tree of Life | Won | |
New York Film Critics Circle | Best Cinematographer | The Tree of Life | Won | |
San Diego Film Critics Society | Best Cinematography | The Tree of Life | Won | |
San Francisco Film Critics Circle | Best Cinematography | The Tree of Life | Won | |
St. Louis Film Critics Association | Best Cinematography | The Tree of Life | Won | |
Washington D.C. Area Film Critics Association | Best Cinematography | The Tree of Life | Won | |
2012 | Alliance of Women Film Journalists | Best Cinematography | The Tree of Life | Won |
Georgia Film Critics Association | Best Cinematography | The Tree of Life | Won | |
National Society of Film Critics | Best Cinematography | The Tree of Life | Won | |
Broadcast Film Critics Association | Best Cinematography | The Tree of Life | Won | |
2013 | Alliance of Women Film Journalists | Best Cinematography | Gravity | Won |
Boston Society of Film Critics | Best Cinematography | Gravity | Won | |
Chicago Film Critics Association | Best Cinematography | Gravity | Won | |
Dallas–Fort Worth Film Critics Association | Best Cinematography | Gravity | Won | |
Dublin Film Critics' Circle | Best Cinematography | Gravity
To the Wonder |
Won | |
Florida Film Critics Circle | Best Cinematography | Gravity | Won | |
Houston Film Critics Society | Best Cinematography | Gravity | Won | |
Los Angeles Film Critics Association | Best Cinematography | Gravity | Won | |
New York Film Critics Circle | Best Cinematographer | Gravity | Nominated | |
San Diego Film Critics Society | Best Cinematography | To the Wonder | Won | |
San Francisco Film Critics Circle | Best Cinematography | Gravity | Won | |
St. Louis Film Critics Association | Best Cinematography | Gravity | Nominated | |
Washington D.C. Area Film Critics Association | Best Cinematography | Gravity | Won | |
2014 | Austin Film Critics Association | Best Cinematography | Birdman | Won |
Boston Society of Film Critics | Best Cinematography | Birdman | Won | |
Chicago Film Critics Association | Best Cinematography | Birdman | Won | |
Dallas–Fort Worth Film Critics Association | Best Cinematography | Birdman | Won | |
Georgia Film Critics Association | Best Cinematography | Gravity | Won | |
To the Wonder | Nominated | |||
Los Angeles Film Critics Association | Best Cinematography | Birdman | Won | |
National Society of Film Critics | Best Cinematography | Gravity | Nominated | |
San Francisco Film Critics Circle | Best Cinematography | Birdman | Nominated | |
Seattle Film Critics Society | Best Cinematography | Gravity | Won | |
St. Louis Film Critics Association | Best Cinematography | Birdman | Won | |
Washington D.C. Area Film Critics Association | Best Cinematography | Birdman | Won | |
Broadcast Film Critics Association | Best Cinematography | Gravity | Won | |
2015 | Alliance of Women Film Journalists | Best Cinematography | Birdman | Won |
Austin Film Critics Association | Best Cinematography | The Revenant | Nominated | |
Boston Society of Film Critics | Best Cinematography | The Revenant | Nominated | |
Chicago Film Critics Association | Best Cinematography | The Revenant | Nominated | |
Dallas–Fort Worth Film Critics Association | Best Cinematography | The Revenant | Won | |
Denver Film Critics Society | Best Cinematography | Birdman | Won | |
Dublin Film Critics' Circle | Best Cinematography | The Revenant | Nominated | |
Florida Film Critics Circle | Best Cinematography | The Revenant | Nominated | |
Georgia Film Critics Association | Best Cinematography | Birdman | Won | |
Houston Film Critics Society | Best Cinematography | Birdman | Won | |
London Film Critics' Circle | Technical Achievement of the Year | Birdman | Nominated | |
San Diego Film Critics Society | Best Cinematography | The Revenant | Nominated | |
San Francisco Film Critics Circle | Best Cinematography | The Revenant | Nominated | |
Seattle Film Critics Society | Best Cinematography | Birdman | Won | |
St. Louis Film Critics Association | Best Cinematography | The Revenant | Won | |
Washington D.C. Area Film Critics Association | Best Cinematography | The Revenant | Won | |
Broadcast Film Critics Association | Best Cinematography | Birdman | Won | |
2016 | Alliance of Women Film Journalists | Best Cinematography | The Revenant | Nominated |
Georgia Film Critics Association | Best Cinematography | The Revenant | Nominated | |
Seattle Film Critics Society | Best Cinematography | The Revenant | Nominated | |
Broadcast Film Critics Association | Best Cinematography | The Revenant | Won |
Film festivals
Year | Festival | Category | Work | Result |
---|---|---|---|---|
1992 | Tokyo International Film Festival | Best Artistic Contribution | Like Water for Chocolate | Won |
1993 | Havana Film Festival | Best Cinematography | Miroslava | Won |
1994 | Sitges Film Festival | Best Cinematography | Ámbar | Won |
2006 | Mar del Plata International Film Festival | Kodak Award | The New World | Won |
Venice Film Festival | Golden Osella: Outstanding Technical Contribution | Children of Men | Won | |
2011 | Camerimage | Golden Frog: Main Competition | The Tree of Life | Nominated |
2013 | Camerimage | Best 3D Feature Film | Gravity | Won |
Wine Country Film Festival | Best Cinematography | Gravity | Won | |
2014 | Camerimage | Golden Frog: Main Competition | Birdman | Nominated |
See also
References
- "EMMANUEL LUBEZKI". www.cinematographers.nl. Retrieved 2019-11-10.
- "Emmanuel Lubezki". Cinematographers. Retrieved 2009-05-08.
- Bloom, Nate (2007-02-22). "Jewish Standard Hollywood's big night". Jewish Standard. Archived from the original on 2008-04-11. Retrieved 2010-08-03.
- Grabinsky, Alan (February 24, 2016). "Mexican Cinematographer Emmanuel Lubezki Hits His Stride". Tablet. Retrieved March 4, 2016.
- Rogers, Pauline B. (2015). Contemporary Cinematographers on Their Art. CRC Press. ISBN 1136045783.
- Times of Israel: "The tribe at the Oscars, 2016" by Nate Bloom February 25, 2016
- Erazo, Vanessa. "6 Things You Probably Didn't Know About Mexican Oscar Nominee Emmanuel Lubezki". Remezcla. Retrieved March 4, 2016.
- "6 Things You Probably Didn't Know About Mexican Oscar Nominee Emmanuel Lubezki". Remezcla. 25 February 2014.
- "Cuaron, Lubezki Talk Mistakes, Long Takes and How Peter Gabriel Made 'Gravity' Possible". Variety. February 13, 2014. Retrieved April 25, 2014.
- "Children of Men". Metacritic. Retrieved 2009-08-05.
- "Two Axis Dolly". Doggicam Systems. Retrieved 2007-01-24.
- Corliss, Richard (2013-08-28). "Gravity at the Venice Film Festival: Dread and Awe in Space". Time Magazine. Retrieved 20 November 2013.
- Scott, A.O. (2013-10-03). "Between Earth and Heaven". The New York Times. Retrieved 20 November 2013.
- "Emmanuel Lubezki, DP of 'Gravity', Expounds on Cinematography in the Virtual Age". nofilmschool.com. October 8, 2013. Retrieved November 22, 2015.
- Giardina, Carolyn (December 30, 2014). "Oscars: 'Birdman' Cinematographer Reveals Secrets Behind Movie's Ingenious "Single Shot" Look". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved November 22, 2015.
- "Alejandro Innaritu Wins Best Director Oscar For The Revenant". Deadline. February 28, 2016. Retrieved March 4, 2016.