Sven Nykvist Presentation

Sven Nykvist
Slides & Presentation by Jake Moore
Brief Background - Sven Nykvist
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Sven Nykvist was born in Sweden on December 3, 1922 and
died September 20, 2006.
Over 120 films
Won two Academy Awards (Cries and Whispers, 1973 & Fanny
and Alexander, 1983 -- both with Ingmar Bergman as
Director)
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and the Independent Spirit Award for Best Cinematography for The
Unbearable Lightness of Being.
In 2003, Nykvist was judged by the International
Cinematographers Guild as one of history’s ten most
influential cinematographers.
“Top 10 Most Influential Cinematographers Voted on by Camera
Guild,” October 16, 2003. Retrieved January 28, 2011.
Nykvist’s Style
Style - Sven Nykvist
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Nykvist’s cinematography
style is known for its
naturalism and simplicity.
>> frame from Persona
(Dir by Ingmar Bergman)
3 Films:
Persona
The Unbearable Lightness of Being
(1966), Dir: Ingmar Bergman
(1988), Dir: Philip Kaufman
Chaplin
(1992), Dir: Richard Attenborough
Persona | Directed by Ingmar Bergman | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ySa4fK9SqII (around 37:00)
Natural Lighting
On location: Fårö island
Golden Hour
Relatively Flat
Clearly Film (vs Video)
Persona | Cinematography
The Unbearable Lightness of Being | Directed by Philip Kaufman | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UyxFXH0kzmE
Natural Lighting
Golden Hour / Soft
The Unbearable Lightness of Being | Cinematography
Chaplin | Directed by Richard Attenborough | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zMZvI_AW2JA
Flat Colors
Film vs Video
Natural Lighting
Largely High Key (comedy) ;
but elements of drama
Frugal Coverage
Chaplin | Cinematography
In Summary - Sven Nykvist
Use of Natural (or made to look
natural) Lighting
Flat [Color] Tones
Product of Film (vs digital)
Simple / economic coverage
Shots to cover the scene as simply
as possible, nothing overly
extreneous