In late July noted cinematographer Laszlo Kovacs, ASC (Easy Rider, Paper Moon, Five Easy Pieces, Ghost Busters), passed away at the age of 74. In tribute to the artist, the American Society of Cinematographers last month announced that it is dedicating the 2008 Heritage Award competition for U.S. film school seniors and recent graduates to the memory of Kovacs.
The Laszlo Kovacs Heritage Award will be presented to one or more recipients during the 22nd annual ASC Outstanding Achievement Awards on Jan. 26 in Hollywood. Submissions deadline for the honor–as well as for categories in the overall ASC Awards–is Oct. 31.
“Laszlo Kovacs was both an extraordinary artist and human being,” said ASC president Daryn Okada. “He was chairman of the ASC Education Committee for many years, and was tireless in his efforts to support students and other young filmmakers. Laszlo envisioned the Heritage Award as a tangible way for us to inspire talented young cinematography students to pursue their dreams. It was his idea to annually re-dedicate the Heritage Award to the memories of different ASC cinematographers.”
Applicants for the Laszlo Kovacs Heritage Award must be in either their final year of a U.S. film school or a recent graduate. Requirements include a recommendation by a dean, department head or a faculty member and submission of a student film.
Entries will be judged by an ASC jury who will evaluate the artistry and skill with which the candidates tell stories with moving images that augment the visions of the directors and performances by the actors.
Kovacs rose up through the industry ranks from humble beginnings. He was raised in a small village in Hungary. He studied at the Academy of Drama and Film in Budapest and came to the United States as a political refugee in 1957 following a failed uprising against the communist regime.
Stateside he eventually found a niche shooting low budget films, including A Man Called Dagger and The Savage Seven during the mid to late 1960s. He broke into the mainstream with Easy Rider in ’69. Kovacs went on to assorted notable films. His career body of work and endeavors earned him Lifetime Achievement Awards from the Camerimage International Festival of the Art of Cinematography in ’98 and from the ASC in ’02.
But in a sense the most fitting honor–albeit posthumous–is the naming of the ’08 Heritage Award after him in that my most indelible memory of Kovacs is his explanation for being involved in such mentoring, nurturing pursuits as the ASC Education Committee and the Kodak Filmschool Competition.
“What chance would you have given me as a young man growing up on a farm in Hungary during the 1940s of having a career like mine in Hollywood?” Kovacs asked rhetorically. “It seemed like an impossible dream at times, but some wonderful people encouraged me along the way. I believe the best way that I can thank the people who helped me is to reach out to young filmmakers and encourage them to follow their dreams.”
“Se7en” Turns 30, Gets A Special Restoration From David Fincher For Its Re-Release
For David Fincher, seeing “Se7en” in 4K was an experience he can only describe as harrowing. That or a high school reunion.
“There are definitely moments that you go, ‘What was I thinking?’ Or ‘Why did I let this person have that hairdo’?” Fincher said in a recent interview with The Associated Press.
He’s OK with the film being a product of its time in most respects. But some things just could not stand in high-definition resolution.
“It was a little decrepit, to be honest,” said Fincher. “We needed to resuscitate it. There are things you can see in 4K HDR that you cannot see on a film print.”
Ever the perfectionist, he and a team got to work on a new restoration of the film for its 30th anniversary re-release. This weekend the restored “Se7en” will play on IMAX screens for the first time in the U.S. and Canada, and on Jan. 7, the 4K UHD home video version will be available as well.
The dark crime thriller written by Andrew Kevin Walker and starring Brad Pitt and Morgan Freeman as a pair of detectives looking for a serial killer was somewhat of a career-reviver for Fincher, whose directorial debut “Alien 3” had not gone well. “Se7en” was not a sure thing: It was made for only $34 million (and only got that when Fincher managed to persuade studio execs to give up $3 million more). But it went on to earn more than $327 million, not accounting for inflation, and continues to influence the genre.
Fincher has over the years overseen several restorations of the film (including one for laser disc) but decided this needed to be the last. It’s why he insisted on an 8K scan that they could derive the 4K from. He wanted to ensure that it wouldn’t have to be repeated when screens get more... Read More