A&E
Behind The Revenant, cinematographer Emmanual Lubezki
By Matt Burner ’17
February 4, 2016
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This has been one of the better years for film in recent memory. Ranging from blockbusters such as The Martian to dramatic ensembles such as Spotlight, there was a quality movie for everybody. J.J. Abrams even redeemed the Star Wars series after a disastrous prequel trilogy.
One film that has deservedly received critical acclaim this year is The Revenant, a gritty tale of one man’s quest for revenge through brutal conditions. Starring Leonardo DiCaprio along with Tom Hardy, the film is considered to be one of the frontrunners for best picture. The Revenant has also received accolades for its brilliant cinematography done by Mexican cinematographer Emmanuel Lubezki. Frequently throughout the film, one can only marvel at the natural beauty of the Canadian wilderness. Lubezki also successfully captures thrilling action sequences, most notably the bear mauling scene that left many viewers breathless.
While perhaps not recognized by the average viewer, Lubezki has helped to contribute some of cinema’s most stunningly shot films over the past few decades. Working with a long list of widely regarded filmmakers such as the Coen brothers, Terence Malick and Tim Burton, he has won the past two Academy Awards for cinematography and has been nominated five other times. He is also a safe bet to win an Oscar for an unprecedented third year in a row for The Revenant. For this reason, here is a reflection on three of Lubezki’s best-shot works, all of which are worth viewing.
Sleepy Hollow (1998): Although Sleepy Hollow was not his first film, it was Lubezki’s first commercial success and earned him his second Academy Award nomination for cinematography. Directed by Tim Burton and starring pre-Pirates of the Caribbean Johnny Depp, Sleepy Hollow is a horror film that loosely adapts Washington Irving’s short story of a similar name.
In the film, Depp plays an 18th century New York City detective investigating a chain of murderers in the hamlet of Sleepy Hollow. The townspeople claim a vengeance seeking the Headless Horseman who committed these murders, but Depp soon deduces the murders are much more sinister in plot.
Like many of Burton’s other films, Sleepy Hollow has a decidedly gothic feel that adds to the already creepy backdrop of 18th century rural New York. Lubezki’s skilled handling of the camera escalates the sense of urgency and helps create chilling scenes that leave the viewer dreading what will happen next.
Children of Men (2006): Released in 2006, Children of Men is a sci-fi thriller directed by Alfonso Cuarón that questions our relationship with both nature and other humans. Earning Lubezki his fourth Oscar nomination for cinematography, the film stars Clive Owen living in a dystopian future in which all of humanity has been infertile for the past two decades. Owen’s character is called upon to escort a young refugee out of the madness.
Children of Men is famous for its one-shot sequences, which can be attributed to Lubezki’s use of the camera. The three sequences in the film all possess an electrifying atmosphere that refuses to let go. Lubezki also employs a documentary-style of filming during many parts that help place the viewer right in the action.
The Tree of Life (2011): The last film on this list is also arguably Lubezki’s most beautifully and ambitiously shot. Working with legendary director Terence Malick, the film is a meditative look at one’s search for meaning in a chaotic world. While the film employs famed actors Brad Pitt and Jessica Chastain, the real stars are the two sons struggling to find a balance between their caring mother and draconian father.
The Tree of Life is an experimental film that cuts between images of the creation of Earth and life in 1950s suburban Texas. The film features shots that portray a bygone era of American life, with Lubezki capturing the simple beauty of a small Texas community as expertly as the vast mountains and woodlands seen in The Revenant.
Although Lubezki is not yet scheduled to work on another film, all three of these films,along with many others he has worked on, are highly recommended.