Making Films In Latvia - First Motion

Frame 7 Frame 8
Calligraphy of camera
Brauns chose young, but experienced cinematographers who already had
their own approach. Variety of their filming styles creates a nuanced
atmospheric visual interplay that is one of the most fascinating aspects of
the film. Although, in Brauns opinion imagery of “235 000 000” is well
amalgamated and leaves an impression that it was made by one hand/eye.
He said that it would not be possible to achieve such uniformity of the
visual stylistics if they would not practice poetic filming approach that
entered Latvian documentary cinema several years before. Also collective
viewing and critical analysis of material each time when groups returned
from expeditions helped. 41 Let’s take a closer look on camera-writing
styles of the main cinematographers of the film!
Ralfs KrumĦš (1934) filmography consists of more than 70 non-fiction
films and cine journals. He learned his craft on sets: „I did not have time
to go to VGIK because I needed to work.” 42 In his opinion non-fiction
cinematographer gains professional skills and ability to work in the
natural light conditions through experiencing life and different filming
41 Authors interview with Uldis Brauns, unpublished
42 Author’s interview with Ralfs KrūmiĦš, 18. 02. 2011, unpublished
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