AFC’s Conversations

Ants Tammik

Interview with cinematographer Ants Tammik about Anna Hints’s "Smoke Sauna Sisterhood"
"Blood, sweat and tears", by François Reumont

Smoke Sauna Sisterhood is a surprising film. Winner of several prizes at international festivals such as Sundance, filmmaker Anna Hints’ invitation to share the intimate confessions of Estonian women is a real success. Set in an extremely simple decor -traditional saunas heated by wood fires-, the documentary is a dance between of words, bodies, steam and light. Cinematographer Ants Tammik spent twenty days with the women of his country, in the heart of this magical place, a Unesco World Heritage Site. The humidity levels were close to 100%, with a temperature fluctuating between 60 and 80°. Welcome to the Smoke Sauna! (FR)
Salvatore Totino

Salvatore Totino, ASC, AIC, talks about the shooting of the first six episodes of the series "The Offer"
The series you just couldn’t refuse, by François Reumont

Produced for the new Paramount+ platform launched in December 2022, the series "The Offer" is a recreation of a mythical moment in cinema history: the adaptation and production of Mario Puzo’s bestseller "The Godfather". The writer, the main character of the series – who is eventually promoted to co-writer-, is surrounded by an array of protagonists who make up the amazing success of the project. Top of the list, the incredible Matthew Goode, who plays Bob Evans, head of the Paramount studio. He seems to come straight out of the legendary documentary "The Kid Stays in the Picture", originally devoted to him.
For the first time in his long career, Italian-American cinematographer Salvatore Totino (Davinci Code, Everest...) was in charge of this series, and photographed the first six episodes. Three directors follow one another around him (Dexter Fletcher, Adam Arkin and Collin Bucksey). "The Offer" is competing for the Golden Frog for Best Series at Camerimage 2023. (FR)
André Turpin

Cinematographer André Turpin discusses his work on Xavier Dolan’s film "It’s Only the End of the World"

Quebecer André Turpin combines the roles of director of photography, director and screenwriter. Endorphin, his last film, was recently released in Canada. His career as a cinematographer relies on his loyal collaboration with Denis Villeneuve for August 32nd on Earth, Maelstrom (Jutra for Best Cinematography) and Incendies (Genie and Jutra Awards for Best Cinematography). Since Tom at the Farm, André Turpin has been working with the young Quebecois director Xavier Dolan. He was the cinematographer for It’s Only the End of the World, the sixth feature by the most prolific director of this 69th annual Cannes Film Festival, in competition for the Golden Palm. (BB)
André Turpin

Conversation with cinematographer André Turpin about "Mommy", directed by Xavier Dolan

André Turpin is a director of photography, filmmaker and scriptwriter from Quebec. In 1995 he produces his first film, Zigrail, followed by Cosmos, a year later. In 2002 he receives the Jutra Award and the Genie Award for the best production, the best script and the best photographic direction for his third feature film, Un crabe dans la tête (Soft Shell Man).
Kasper Tuxen

Kasper Tuxen, DFF, discusses the shooting of "The Worst Person in the World", by Joachim Trier
The 12 Labors of Kasper, by François Reumont for the AFC

At the Grand Théâtre Lumière, Joachim Trier delivered the portrait of a woman over the course of seven years, from her graduation from university to her thirtieth birthday. This is The Worst Person in the World, played by the wonderful Renate Reinsve, surrounded by Herbert Nordrum and Anders Danielsen Lie, in fourteen tableaux (including prologue and epilogue) of a modern and touching romance. Danish cinematographer Kasper Tuxen, DFF, has teamed up on this project with his Norwegian neighbors to film this bittersweet love story. (FR)
Kasper Tuxen

Cinematographer Kasper Tuxen, speaks about his work on Gus Van Sant’s “The Sea of Trees”
Lost in a Forest

If Danish cinematographer Kasper Tuxen’s resume is above all filled with prestigious advertising credits (Louis Vuitton featuring David Bowie, Hennessy, BMW…), he has also already lit two feature films (Beginners by Mike Mills and M. Blash’s The Wait). After first working with director Gus Van Sant on a television series (Boss), he is currently responsible for the images of The Sea of Trees, a mysterious forest tale of survival in which Oscar-winning actor Matthew McConaughey rubs shoulders with the most American of Japanese actors, Ken Watanabe.