Visions Of Light

Year: 1992

Grade: B

Country: USA

Director: Samuels

Review

a well put together documentary about cinematography and cinematographers. the editing is really well thought out. there are numerous scenes wherein a cinematographer is talking about a particular shot, or a style of filming, and the filmmakers put that clip, or an example of whatever it is they’re talking about, under a voice-over. this enables the viewer to have clear visual examples of deep focus, specific uses of color, the “look” of a particular cinematographer, or whatever else the film may discuss. they (filmmakers) did a good job of getting a good balance of old school and new school cinematographers talking about both the older films and the newer color films. they (the interviewees) address the impact of sound, color, cinemascope, etc. on the art and technique of cineamtography. it wasn’t a comprehensive look at cinematography. it only alluded to the different films (speed/brand/etc) that one might use or the different lenses; and, perhaps worst of the gaps, it had a very eurocentric emphasis. despite those things that it didn’t address, the film gives a very good introduction to cinematography historically as both an art and a science. it profiles some of the biggest of the american and european cinematographers and has definitely piqued my interest.