A long conversation with cinematographer and Oscar winner Hoyte van Hoytema, who was asked to pick twelve clips from films, documentaries and tv-series and talk about them. The interview is conducted by Theo Maassen in The Netherlands.
Hoyte van Hoytema is one of the most sought-after cinematographers in contemporary film. He was responsible for the cinematography of Spike Jonze's 'Her', Jordan Peele's horror film 'Nope' and Sam Mendes' James Bond film 'Specter'.

Due to copyright limitations we don’t show the clips he discusses, but instead we describe them below.

00:00 Introduction

07:27 Miami Vice
The iconic 1980s NBC series 'Miami Vice,' produced by Michael Mann, follows police officers James 'Sonny' Burnett and Ricardo 'Rico' Tubbs as they chase criminals, primarily in the drug trade, in Miami. The scene captures the dark and stylish essence of the series, known for its New Wave-inspired visuals and iconic soundtrack.

14:59 The Mirror
A 1975 film by Russian director Andrei Tarkovsky, known for its unconventional narrative structure and autobiographical elements. The chosen scene is the final shot of the film, depicting Aleksei, the protagonist, his mother in a reflective and associative manner, characteristic of Tarkovsky's poetic filmmaking style.

30:08 Directed by Tarkovsky
This documentary offers insights into the creative process of Russian filmmaker Andrei Tarkovsky, focusing on his dedication to his craft and his uncompromising artistic vision. The selected scene shows Tarkovsky and cinematographer Sven Nykvist on the set of 'Sacrifice,' facing technical difficulties while filming a crucial scene involving a burning house.

42:17 Living the Light – Robby Müller
A documentary about Dutch cinematographer Robby Müller, known for his innovative camerawork in films like 'Paris, Texas' and 'Down by Law.' The chosen scene emphasizes Müller's intimate relationship with his camera and his dedication to capturing life through the lens.

50:27 Heaven's Gate
A western film (1980) directed by Michael Cimino, notorious for its troubled production and commercial failure. The selected scene is the climactic shootout, showcasing the film's epic scale and tragic themes within the context of the Johnson County War.

1:02:26 Athena
A 2022 French film directed by Romain Gavras, exploring the aftermath of a young boy's death at the hands of the police. The chosen scene depicts the chaotic aftermath of the boy's death, as his brothers incite a rebellion against the police. The 11 minute scene was, impressively, shot in a single take.

1:09:37 A Swedish Love Story
In 'A Swedish Love Story,' Annika is devastated when her love interest, Pär, is attacked by a group of boys, leaving her feeling abandoned. Despite her attempts to reconnect with him at a party, he ignores her. Later, at a football field, Pär leaves with friends, but unexpectedly returns for Annika, and they share a passionate embrace, reaffirming their love amidst adversity.

1:18:02 De achtste dag
In this segment from 'Het is glad in Brabant,' filmed as part of the program 'De achtste dag,' two boys from Brabant explain that they witnessed cars sliding and crashing due to icy conditions. Despite their efforts to alert cyclists and the police, accidents continue to occur.

1:30:06 Music Now
Wendy Carlos, renowned for the album 'Switched-On Bach,' demonstrates electronic sound basics with the Moog Synthesizer on BBC's 'Music Now.' Dressed as a man but privately Wendy, she explores adapting Bach to electronics, showcasing waveforms like sine, sawtooth, and white noise.

1:39:27 For All Mankind
In this segment, likely from Apollo 16, John Young and Charles Duke explore the moon's surface. They navigate challenges with humor, marveling at the lunar landscape's beauty and reflecting on their mission's significance. Amid scientific tasks, they share moments of song and dance, embracing the adventure's joy.

1:48:17 Heartworn Highways
Filmmaker James Szalapski visits Townes Van Zandt in Austin, Texas, capturing intimate moments as Van Zandt plays 'That Old Time Feeling.' His wife Cindy joins in while Uncle Seymour Washington, moved to tears, listens to 'Waiting 'Round to Die.' Szalapski's interview with Washington explores life as a farrier and his whiskey-influenced philosophy.

1:55:51 L'apocalypse des animeaux
A serene moment from 'L’apocalypse des animaux' features a monkey gracefully moving along a branch, set to Vangelis Papathanassiou's music. The fragment poignantly emphasizes the vulnerability of our planet and the importance of preserving its diverse life forms.

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