No one manipulated light like Sven Nykvist. Perhaps the greatest cinematographer of our time, the Swedish-born, two time Oscar-winner (“Cries and Whispers,” “Fanny and Alexander“) saw something in people and their surroundings that most of us can hardly fathom. He was a true master, working with notable directors such as Roman Polanski (“The Tenant“), Louis Malle (“Black Moon,” “Pretty Baby“), Philip Kaufman (“The Unbearable Lightness of Being“), Andrei Tarkovsky (“The Sacrifice“), and Woody Allen (“Celebrity,” “Crimes & Misdemeanors“). The collaboration that changed Nykvist’s life, however, was his partnership with Ingmar Bergman. Making a total of seventeen stunning films together, Nykvist credits Bergman with encouraging him to change his aesthetic, thus creating all of the aforementioned opportunities.
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In an impressive video essay by Sareesh Sudhakaran, he delves into Nykvist’s history, and how throughout a prolific career of over 120 films the Swede managed to create a poetry all his own. A great deal of his inspiration came from paintings, his father’s photographs when he was young (he wasn’t allowed to go to the movies – imagine that), and an understanding of the light of wherever he was shooting. In Sweden, when working with Bergman, for instance, the golden hour is longer in certain parts of the country, so you would always be chasing the light. Nykvist used this to his advantage, seeking a logical, naturalistic approach.
Not only was he brilliant behind the camera, but he was also a calming influence on the entire set. The actors looked to Sven for advice, and always felt comfortable knowing that he would be the one creating their close-ups. (His work is truly staggering; I still daydream about the close-ups in “Persona.”)
Always searching for a new approach to achieve a paramount shot (avoiding direct light, perfecting tungsten lights against wax paper, seamlessly using a zoom lens so that Bergman couldn’t tell the difference) Nykvist was a true paragon of the form. What’s your favorite shot of his? Let us know in the comments below. [One Perfect Shot]