The American Society of Cinematographers (ASC) has nominated three cinematographers for the 2016 Spotlight Award, which recognizes outstanding cinematography in feature-length projects that are screened at festivals, internationally, or in limited theatrical release. The winner will be announced at the 30th ASC Awards on February 14, at the Hyatt Regency Century Plaza.
The 2016 nominees are Adam Arkapaw for Macbeth, Mátyás Erdély, HSC for Son of Saul and Cary Joji Fukunaga for Beasts of No Nation.
“Our panel had a wealth of material to choose from and worked very hard to determine the best in visual artistry and craftsmanship in this category,” said Richard Crudo, president of the ASC. “We congratulate the nominees on their achievements.”
For the Spotlight Award, ASC members submit entries for consideration that go before a Blue Ribbon panel that choose the nominees. All active members may vote to select the winner.
“Each nominated film evokes intense emotions through its cinematography,” said Daryn Okada, chairman of the ASC Awards. “Their commitment to the visual narrative of their stories and characters are an integral part of the cinematic experience.”
Macbeth, directed by Justin Kurzel, premiered at the 2015 Cannes Film Festival. It’s been recognized by critics, festivals and industry organizations worldwide.
Son of Saul from director László Nemes won the Grand Prize of the Jury Award at the 2015 Cannes Film Festival, and went on to win the Bronze Frog at Camerimage, the international film festival of cinematography. It also won a Golden Globe and has been recognized by several critics and organizations
Beasts of No Nation, also directed by Fukunaga, premiered at the 2015 Venice Film Festival. It was the first feature film produced by Netflix, which received a limited theatrical release in addition to streaming on Netflix simultaneously. Beasts of No Nation has received Golden Globe, BAFTA and Spirit Award nominations, among other accolades.
Last year, Peter Flickenberg won the Spotlight Award for director Pirjo Honkasalo’s Concrete Night (Betoniyö).
Rom-Com Mainstay Hugh Grant Shifts To The Dark Side and He’s Never Been Happier
After some difficulties connecting to a Zoom, Hugh Grant eventually opts to just phone instead.
"Sorry about that," he apologizes. "Tech hell." Grant is no lover of technology. Smart phones, for example, he calls the "devil's tinderbox."
"I think they're killing us. I hate them," he says. "I go on long holidays from them, three or four days at at time. Marvelous."
Hell, and our proximity to it, is a not unrelated topic to Grant's new film, "Heretic." In it, two young Mormon missionaries (Chloe East, Sophie Thatcher) come knocking on a door they'll soon regret visiting. They're welcomed in by Mr. Reed (Grant), an initially charming man who tests their faith in theological debate, and then, in much worse things.
After decades in romantic comedies, Grant has spent the last few years playing narcissists, weirdos and murders, often to the greatest acclaim of his career. But in "Heretic," a horror thriller from A24, Grant's turn to the dark side reaches a new extreme. The actor who once charmingly stammered in "Four Weddings and a Funeral" and who danced to the Pointer Sisters in "Love Actually" is now doing heinous things to young people in a basement.
"It was a challenge," Grant says. "I think human beings need challenges. It makes your beer taste better in the evening if you've climbed a mountain. He was just so wonderfully (expletive)-up."
"Heretic," which opens in theaters Friday, is directed by Scott Beck and Bryan Woods, co-writers of "A Quiet Place." In Grant's hands, Mr. Reed is a divinely good baddie — a scholarly creep whose wry monologues pull from a wide range of references, including, fittingly, Radiohead's "Creep."
In an interview, Grant spoke about these and other facets of his character, his journey... Read More