The American Society of Cinematographers has announced the feature nominees for its upcoming virtual ceremony, and Apple’sTom HollandmovieCherrywas among the surprising inclusions.
While the film was directed by the Russo brothers, it was shot byNewton Thomas Sigel, who was nominated alongside top Oscar contenders such asNomadland(Joshua James Richards),Mank(Erik Messerschmidt),The Trial of the Chicago 7(Phedon Papamichael) andNews of the World(Dariusz Wolski).
The nomination marks the very first for veteran DP Sigel, which is kind of crazy to think about, since he shotThe Usual Suspectsmore than 25 years ago! His nomination forCherrymay have been bolstered by his work on another streaming title,Da 5 Bloods, which remains my personal preference. I just thought thatCherrywas an example of style over substance and kind of all over the place visually, but I suppose that was the point, as it reflected its protagonist’s jumbled state of mind.
RELATED:‘Mank’ Cinematographer Erik Messerschmidt on Recreating 1930s Hollywood with David Fincher
Also earning their first ASC nominations on Wednesday wereMank’s Messerschmidt, who regardless of my thoughts on the black-and-white film itself, did a terrific job for a very demanding director, and Richards, who captured beautiful images of the American West inNomadland. Both cinematographers seem to have developed a shorthand with their respective directors,David FincherandChloé Zhao, having previously worked with them onMindhunterandThe Rider.
Papamichael scored his fifth ASC feature nomination, which comes on the heels of his remarkable work onFord v Ferrari, while Wolski, a favorite of directorsRidley ScottandTim Burton, was previously nominated forCrimson Tide. Wolski also earned a BAFTA nomination this week along with Messerschmidt and Richards, thoughSean Bobbitt(Judas and the Black Messiah) andAlwin H. Küchler(The Mauritanian) replaced Sigel and Papamichael on that ballot.
On the TV side of the ledger,Greig FraserandBaz Idoineearned a pair of nominations for separate episodes ofThe Mandalorian, while my belovedFargowill square off againstWatchmenfor a top award. It was also nice to seeKatelin Arizmendirecognized for her work on the acclaimed indie thrillerSwallow. Finally,Sofia Coppolawill receive the ASC Board of Governors Award during this year’s presentation.
The ASC will announce the winners of its 35th edition on April 18 during a virtual ceremony that will be live-streamed on American Cinematographer’s Facebook page starting at 12:30 p.m. PDT from the ASC Clubhouse in Hollywood. The ASC winner has won six of the last 10 Oscars for Best Cinematography, including last year’s victorRoger Deakins, who won both awards for1917. The complete list of ASC nominations is below.
RELATED:‘Nomadland’ Cinematographer Joshua James Richards on Striving to Rethink How Movies Are Made
Feature Film
Erik Messerschmidt, ASC forMank
Phedon Papamichael, ASC, GSC forThe Trial of the Chicago 7
Joshua James RichardsforNomadland
Newton Thomas Sigel, ASC forCherry
Dariusz Wolski, ASC forNews of the World
Katelin ArizmendiforSwallow
Aurélien MarraforTwo of Us
Andrey NaydenovforDear Comrades!
Documentary
Michael DweckandGregory KershawforThe Truffle Hunters
Viktor KosakovskiyandEgil Håskjold LarsenforGunda
Gianfranco RosiforNotturno
Motion Picture, Limited Series, or Pilot Made for Television
Martin Ahlgren, ASC forThe Plot Against America, “Part 6”
Anette HaellmigkforThe Great, “The Great”
Pete KonczalforFargo, “The Birthplace of Civilization”
Steven MeizlerforThe Queen’s Gambit, “End Game”
Gregory Middleton, ASC, CSC forWatchmen, “This Extraordinary Being”
Episode of a One-Hour Television Series – Commercial
Marshall Adams, ASC forBetter Call Saul, “Bagman”
Carlos CatalánforKilling Eve, “Meetings Have Biscuits”
François Dagenais, CSC forProject Blue Book, “Area 51”
Jon Joffin, ASC forMotherland: Fort Salem, “Up is Down”
Kim Miles, ASC, CSC, MySC forProject Blue Book, “Operation Mainbrace”
Episode of a One-Hour Television Series – Non-Commercial
David FrancoforPerry Mason, “Chapter 2”
Ken GlassingforLucifer, “It Never Ends Well for the Chicken”
Adriano Goldman, ASC, ABC, BSC forThe Crown, “Fairytale”
David Greene, ASC, CSC forImpulse, “The Moroi”
David Mullen, ASC forThe Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, “It’s Comedy or Cabbage”
Fabian Wagner, ASC, BSC forThe Crown, “Imbroglio”
Episode of a Half-Hour Television Series
Ava BerkofskyforInsecure, “Lowkey Lost”
Greig Fraser, ASC, ACS forThe Mandalorian, “Chapter 1: The Mandalorian”
Baz IdoineforThe Mandalorian, “Chapter 13: The Jedi”
Matthew Jensen, ASC forThe Mandalorian, “Chapter 15: The Believer”
Jas SheltonforHomecoming, “Giant”
KEEP READING:‘Cherry’ Cinematographer Newton Thomas Sigel on the Film’s Ambitious Visual Approach and Working with the Russo Brothers
