While awards season is in full swing and various groups are recognizing 2016’s best acting, writing, directing, etc., there’s also plenty of deserved love lavished on the best cinematography of the year. The American Society of Cinematographers have announced the nominees for their 31st annual awards for Outstanding Achievement in Cinematography, and it’s a pretty formidable bunch. The nominees are:
Greig FraserforLion
James LaxtonforMoonlight
Rodrigo PrietoforSilence
Linus SandgrenforLa La Land
Bradford YoungforArrival
This is a fantastic lineup that is as diverse as it is impressive. The work of Fraser and Laxton onLionandMoonlight, respectively, exemplify some truly stunning handheld photography (watch Steve’s interview with Fraserhere), and in the case ofMoonlightsome really powerful POV shots. And then you have something like Bradford Young’s work onArrival, which is steady, confident, and naturally lit (read my interview with Younghere), as well as Sandgren’sLa La Landwork that is chock full of jaw-dropping long takes. And, finally, Rodrigo Prieto—who is undoubtedly one of the most versatile cinematographers working today—bringing to life shots thatMartin Scorsesehas been dreaming about for decades.
Prieto is the only repeat-nominee here, having been recognized previously forBrokeback MountainandFrida. This is actually what I have as my predictions for the corresponding Oscar category, but 2016 was full of great cinematography. Personally, my favorite of the year wasJody Lee Lipes’ understated but powerful work inManchester by the Sea, but the year also gave usStephane Fontaine’s intimate work onJackie,Seamus McGarvey’s sumptuousNocturnal Animals, and masterRoger Deakinstackling old Hollywood inHail, Caesar!There’s even a case to be made for Fraser landing a double nomination for hisRogue Onecinematography—it’s an embarrassment of riches to be sure.
The ASC winner oftentimes matches up with the Oscar winner, withEmmanuel Lubezkiwinning the last three prizes in a row forThe Revenant,Birdman, andGravity. But the ASC also has a separate category for feature-length projects that are screened at festivals, internationally, or limited release for the Spotlight Award. The nominees for that category are as follows:
Lol CrawleyforChildhood of a Leader
Gorka Gomez AndreuforHouse of Others
Ernesto PardoforTempestad
Juliette van DormaelforMon Ange(My Angel)
The winners will be announced on February 4th.
