AFC’s Conversations

I have a very precise memory of my state of mind when I finished my first read-through of the screenplay of Insyriated: I was overwhelmed and even physically worn out. I felt as though I had personally lived through that day of war. Not war as one imagines it: adventurous, heroic, on the front…masculine…

The Rotterdam International Film Festival, in association with the NSC (Netherlands Society of Cinematographers) celebrates the memory of great cinematographer Robby Müller every year by awarding the prize that bears his name to an up-and-coming filmmaker. In past years, recipients of the award have included Diego Garcia (a Mexican cinematographer who worked with Darius Khondji, AFC, ASC, on the series “Too Old to Die Young” in 2020, and Hélène Louvart, AFC, in 2023. This year, it is the turn of Belgian cinematographer Grimm Vandekerckhove to be recognized. We discuss this award with him, and particularly his work with Belgian director Bas Devos for whom he has shot two films (Ghost Tropic in 2019 and Here in 2023). (FR)

I’m happy and moved to be filming again with Caroline and Jonathan, ten years after the short film Tant qu’il nous reste des fusils à pompe. I love their work. Eat the Night is fascinating and mesmerizing. The characters are pictured with tenderness, and the actors are directed with taste, talent and accuracy. And humor! The film is in selection at the Quinzaine des Cinéastes. (RV)

After the very tender Garçon chiffon, in official competition at the 2020 Cannes Film Festival, cinematographer Raphaël Vandenbussche is back at the Festival, with Rodéo, in the Un Certain Regard selection. Lola Quivoron’s first feature film depicts, with passion and sincerity, the world of Bikelife, and the struggle of a young woman to find her place in it. (MC)

During his visit to Camerimage to present the second film adaptation of Stephen King’s bestselling novel (It: Chapter 2), Peruvian cinematographer Checco Varese, ASC, discussed with us his unique way of approaching the shooting of this film. In no particular order, he discussed his passion for doing things directly on set as well as his vision of the profession in the age of special effects. With his calm and clever smile, welcome to the chef’s kitchen!

Part experimental film, part documentary, part fantasy, Camila Beltrán’s Mi Bestia portrays a young girl transitioning from childhood in 1990s Bogotá. Sylvain Verdet shot the images for this first original feature film, having previously collaborated on Beltrán’s short film Pacifico Obscuro four years prior. Mi Bestia has been selected at ACID. (FR)

Moneyboys is a first Taiwanese film, selected in Un Certain Regard at Cannes, which paints a sensitive and elegant portrait of a young Chinese male prostitute. Director CB Yi and cinematographer Jean-Louis Vialard, AFC, decided to work using long takes in a series of different locations, each of which was very carefully chosen, to literally build the ambience and the visual identity of this film. (FR)

Following 17 Girls, which garnered attention at the 2011 Cannes Film Festival, Delphine and Muriel Coulin are once again in selection for Un Certain Regard with Stopover. This film explores a little-known facet of the French Army: the decompression sessions that take place at the end of each mission and allow soldiers to return to “normal” life, far from the theatre of operations. Their faithful cinematographer, Jean-Louis Vialard, AFC, explains the challenges of this film that was principally shot under the sunlight of the Island of Rhodes.

Following Winter Brothers for which she earned the award for First feature film at Camerimage in 2017, the young Swedish cinematographer Maria von Hausswolff again joined forces with Icelandic director Hlynur Pálmason on a drama that portrays a former police officer mourning the loss of his wife and who brings his young daughter along on an uncertain quest into the past. Alongside the impressive Ingvar Sigurðsson (for whom the film was written), the little girl (Hlynur Pálmason’s own daughter), and a visual landscape made up of gradients of fog and rain surrounding the coastal town of Höfn (which simply means “port” in Icelandic) in the south-western part of Iceland. (FR)