CAMERAMAN
aka CAMERAMAN: THE WORK AND LIFE OF JACK CARDIFF

Year: 2010
USA: Strand Releasing
UK: Optimum Releasing
Cast: Jack Cardiff, Martin Scorsese, Kirk Douglas, Lauren Bacall, Charlton Heston, Kim Hunter, John Mills, Alan Parker, Thelma Schoonmaker, Freddie Francis, Raffaella De Laurentiis, Richard Fleischer, Peter Yates, Kathleen Byron, Christopher Challis, Kevin Mcclory, Ian Christie, Moira Shearer, Michel Ciment, Peter Handford, George E Turner, Michael Powell
Director: Craig McCall
Country: UK
USA & UK: 90 mins
USA Rated: Unrated
UK Certificate: PG contains mild language, violence and sex references
USA Release Date: 13 May 2011 (Limited Release)
UK Release Date: 7 May 2010 (Limited Release)
UK DVD Release Date: 19 July 2010


Synopsis

CAMERAMAN illuminates a unique figure in British and international cinema, Jack Cardiff, a man whose life and career are inextricably interwoven with the history of cinema, spanning nine decades of moving pictures. The phrase “legend” is all too frequently used in Hollywood, yet Jack Cardiff’s story surely proves him truly worthy of that title. On March 25, 2001, fifty-four years after winning his first Oscar for his stunning Technicolor cinematography on BLACK NARCISSUS, Jack Cardiff was the first Cinematographer ever to be presented with an Honorary Oscar for:
“Exceptional distinction in lifetime achievement; exceptional contributions to the state of motion picture arts and sciences; and for outstanding services to the Academy.”

In this unique insight into Jack’s life and work, the master himself explains how he helped elevate cinematography to an art form and made history with his groundbreaking vision and technical wizardry in A MATTER OF LIFE AND DEATH, THE RED SHOES, THE AFRICAN QUEEN, THE VIKINGS and many others. Amongst many fascinating revelations and anecdotes in the film, Jack relates what it was like to work with Hollywood’s greatest icons, Marilyn Monroe, Audrey Hepburn, Humphrey Bogart, Kirk Douglas and Sophia Loren.

Martin Scorsese passionately guides us through Jack’s films and tells us why they have had such an influence on him. “I began to have a very strong affinity towards British Cinema, because of my recognition of Jack Cardiff’s name.”

Featuring unique interviews with the world’s greatest actors, directors and technicians, CAMERAMAN explores Jack’s life and work in compelling detail, scope and intimacy. The film is not only a unique and valuable testimony to British and international cinema history; it’s a humorous and informative one too - an amazing story about an exceptional life.

Official Selection, Cannes Classics - Cannes Film Festival 2010