Cinematographer Harris Savides, who died this past September at the age of 55, began his career as a fashion photographer before applying his perceptive eye for beauty to music videos for Madonna, Chris Isaak, Michael Jackson, and a host of others. After transitioning to feature films, Savides quickly established himself as a much sought after director of photography, working with directors such as Woody Allen, Sofia Coppola, Noah Baumbach, and, frequently, Gus Van Sant. A Savides shot is often characterized by a sensitivity to design and the striking mutability of light, and a special attention to the actor’s place in the composition. The films in this special tribute represent the wide range of his work, and the many directors who chose his camera to reflect their most personal stories. Savides’s final film, The Bling Ring (2013), directed by longtime collaborator Sofia Coppola, will be released in June 2013.
Organized by Anne Morra, Associate Curator, Department of Film.