François Reumont

A l’occasion de " Lumières du Nord ", exposition photographique que l’on pourra voir encore jusqu’au 10 mai dans les locaux de Softlights, membre associé de l’AFC, nous avons demandé à François Reumont, directeur de la photographie et auteur des clichés, et à Henrik Moseid, dirigeant de la société d’éclairage fluorescent, de parler de la façon peu commune dont ils ont éclairé les tirages par l’arrière en combinant des LEDs.

« En France, on n’a pas de pétrole mais on a des idées », proclamait crânement un slogan de 1976 devenu proverbial. C’était le premier choc pétrolier et le gouvernement sortait une campagne de spots publicitaires accompagnant le changement d’heure et diverses mesures d’économies d’énergie.

Shot over 80 days between November 2023 and April 2024, the new French mini-series on Apple TV+ recreates the Napoleonic era in a project that combines espionage, haute cuisine and politics. At the heart of the story, which evokes a pact with the devil, is an ambitious young chef who quickly achieves fame and success through his connection with Talleyrand. Matias Boucard, AFC, is the director of photography for this series - in association with Éric Dumont, AFC - directed by Martin Bourboulon (The Three Musketeers). Laurent Héritier, as gaffer, took care of the many electrical setups on location around Paris and in the studio in Bry-sur-Marne. Premiering at the Séries Mania Festival, the series will be available on Apple TV+ in late April. (FR)

Stephen Goldblatt, ASC, a profité de sa venue à Camerimage avec le " biopic " musical consacré au parrain de la soul James Brown (Get On Up, de Tate Taylor) pour donner une Master Class à gros budget sur le thème " Filmer un concert ".
Installé dans la salle de sport de l’université WSG, une scène avec tout l’attirail d’un concert de rock était en place pour l’occasion.

To mark the grand release of his first series on the Apple platform, the multi-Oscar-winning Mexican filmmaker Alfonso Cuarón (Gravity, Roma, etc.) attended Camerimage to discuss his work and photographic choices with the audience. "Disclaimer" is a thriller in which a past event suddenly resurfaces, upending the very bourgeois life of the main protagonist (Cate Blanchett) and her family. Since its release in early November, the series has divided viewers and critics alike. Many argue that the two timelines explored by the filmmaker occasionally lack credibility and coherence, particularly with respect to the final resolution. Emmanuel Lubezki, AMC, ASC, and Bruno Delbonnel, AFC, ASC, shared the cinematography credits, each working on a specific part of the story. (FR)

Tacitly referring to the show once hosted by the New York real estate tycoon, Danish-Iranian director Ali Abbasi brings to us The Apprentice, a biopic unlike any other, in which archival footage and fictional documentary share the same DNA on screen. A portrait, therefore, of the former US president - currently campaigning for re-election in November - who has announced wanting to ban the film from being released. Actor Sebastian Stan portrays a very convincing Donald Trump, during the 1972-1986 period, accompanied by his mentor, lawyer Roy Cohn (Jeremy Strong), the other flamboyant gem of the film and possible award-winning performance. Danish cinematographer Kasper Tuxen (The Worst Person in the World in 2021) created the images for this highly realistic immersion into contemporary US history. He talks to us about Anakin Skywalker, analogue video and whether it is necessary to like the film’s protagonist to film them well. (FR)

Tournée sur 80 jours entre novembre 2023 et avril 2024, la nouvelle mini série française de la plateforme Apple TV+ mise sur une recréation de l’époque napoléonienne dans le contexte d’un projet mêlant espionnage, haute cuisine et politique. Au centre de la trame, évoquant celle d’un pacte avec le diable, un jeune cuisinier ambitieux qui va rapidement atteindre la gloire et le succès au contact de Talleyrand. C’est Matias Boucard, AFC, qui signe les images de cette série – en association avec Éric Dumont, AFC –, réalisée par Martin Bourboulon (Les Trois Mousquetaires). Laurent Héritier, en tant que gaffer, s’est occupé des nombreuses installations électriques en décors naturels autour de Paris et en studio à Bry-sur-Marne. Diffusée en avant-première au festival Séries Mania, cette série sera ensuite disponible sur Apple TV+ fin avril. (FR)

Mélo, avec parties musicales et chronique historique, L’Amour ouf, du réalisateur et comédien Gilles Lellouche, a un côté plein d’enthousiasme dans son écriture et sa facture. On y croise à la fois le cinéma de gangster des années 1980 (avec l’exubérance picturale de Brian De Palma ou le classicisme narratif de Jacques Deray), l’univers du clip, et une récurrente nostalgie musicale. Laurent Tangy, AFC qui avait déjà filmé Le Grand bain, est le directeur de la photographie de ce film présenté en Compétition officielle et dont l’équipe a été longuement ovationnée lors de la première.

Teaming up with Michel Franco for the sixth time, Yves Cape, AFC, has brought Dreams to life, featuring Jessica Chastain, who previously starred in their last film, Memory. A dark study of passion between a powerful American woman and a charming young Mexican immigrant, the film mainly addresses the everyday racism in the United States. Dreams also gives star dancer Isaac Hernández the opportunity to play a tailor-made role, portraying a character navigating between passion and disappointment. The film is in the Official Competition at the 2025 Berlinale.

After having shot his last film in France, Iranian filmmaker Asghar Farhadi decided on Spain for his latest film, a family thriller that is reminiscent both of classical tragedy and westerns. A family behind closed doors in a village of the sierra outside of Madrid, set amongst grape harvests, passions, and jealousies. The great Spanish (and French-speaking) cinematographer José Luis Alcaine is opening this year’s Competition at Cannes with this authentic firework display of actors and cinematography. (FR)

In 2018, amidst a new and youthful selection of directors, one of Cannes’ seasoned filmmakers is back after been "persona non grata" at the Festival since 2011 as a result of his statements regarding Hitler during the press conference for Melancholia. Lars von Trier is definitely not a neo-Nazi, but his sin was to have made a particularly ill-advised attempt at Scandinavian humour. The House That Jack Built portrays a serial killer played by Mat Dillon, starring alongside Bruno Ganz and Uma Thurman. This is cinematographer Manuel Alberto Claro’s, DFF, third film in a row with the Copenhagener director. (FR)

Engaged in a fierce battle against the industrialization of his beloved island, Halla, with his bow and arrows and his sticks of dynamite, could be compared to John Rambo (First Blood) in her mastery of guerrilla warfare against the system… With the exception of only one thing, however : she is an elegant chorus director from Reykjavik and her combat fatigues is his traditional Icelandic wool jumper.