Feeling Underexposed?

We invite you to spend the weekend with Gordon Willis. Well, sort of.

The two of you can start here before spending a little time in pleasant conversation with the folks from Scene Unseen. Afterward, some reflection from Doug Hart, Gordon Willis' former right hand man.

Finally, unwind with this marvelous little documentary entitled Vision of Light: The Art of Cinematography.

Part Two.
Part Three.
Part Four.
Part Five.
Part Six.
Part Seven.
Part Eight.
Part Nine.

A few night caps:



And finally...



We can't help but think that Stardust Memories is the most under appreciated film of the last 30 years---they probably love it in France. We'd love to ask Gordon Willis what he considers his best work. You know how we'd vote.

If you know of other worthwhile Gordon Willis stuff, please leave a comment. We're sure there is more out there.

(HT: Tim, for the Doug Hart material. Invaluable.)

Looking Back on Carlo Di Palma

Senses of Cinema is always terrific. A reader brought my attention to a wonderful piece written by Peter Tonguette on Di Palma's collaborations with Allen. Allen's inclination toward single takes and long shots owes much to Di Palma.

Tonguette begins by writing, "The great director/cinematographer collaborations in film history include Orson Welles and Gregg Toland; Welles and Gary Graver; Allan Dwan and John Alton; Vincente Minnelli and Alton; Blake Edwards and Dick Bush; and, to my thinking, Woody Allen and Carlo Di Palma."

But Allen, owing as much to the opportunity that comes from having made 40 films, is one of the few directors who might make the list of "great director/cinematographer collaborations in film history" two or three times. Allen and Gordon Willis produced some remarkable images together---some of the most remarkable images in the history of film, actually. Allen and Sven Nykvist only worked together on three features, but two of them were something of a masterpiece (Crimes and Misdemeanors and Another Woman) so they must be mentioned. If Allen and Javier Aguirresarobe continue in a relationship that began with Vicky Cristina Barcelona, they could complete a remarkable series of films. GSF would be shell-schocked if Aguirresarobe did not receive multiple award nominations for his work in Allen portrait of Barcelona. Splitting one's DP duties between Pedro Almodovar and Woody Allen is not such a bad gig.

This is something to watch for in future films. Harris Savides is next at bat for Whatever Works, and that is something of interesting combination. If anyone with Allen's team is reading this, GSF casts its vote for Slawomir Idziak, whose work in Gattaca, The Double Life of Veronique and Blue is first rate.