Influences Part II

Another cinematographer/director of photography that I have grown to adore is Matthew Libatique, famous for working on films like Requiem For A Dream and Inside Man. Requiem For A Dream is a breathtaking film, with powerful drug orientated storylines and hard hitting imagery. When a character take a 'hit', the use of audio with fast cuts helps to orchestrate the feeling of a rush. The use of a Steadycam attached to a character has been used many times in film, but in my opinion has not had the dramatic effect as in Requiem, where the audience feels connected to the soul of the character. A scene which stands out to me, where Miriam, an addict who prostitutes herself to fund her habit, leaves a 'client', walkes down a corridor into a rainy street and proceeds to vomit uncontrollably-all with the use of a steadycam rigged to her torso.

The film uses many dramatic camera shots, such as the penultimate moment at the end of the film where all the main characters are at their worst, for example, a shot where two old women who rise from their seats in a state of horror as their old firend is shown, truly depict the effects that drugs can cause not just the user, but those associated with them.

I could ramble on about this film all day to be honest. One word, epic.

Matthew Libertique's works:

Untitled Inside Man Sequel (2010) (announced)
The Fighter (2009) (pre-production)
Miracle at St. Anna (2008) (post-production)
Iron Man (2008) (post-production) (director of photography)
The Number 23 (2007) (director of photography)
The Fountain (2006)
Inside Man (2006) (director of photography)
Everything Is Illuminated (2005)
She Hate Me (2004)
Never Die Alone (2004)
Gothika (2003) (director of photography)
The Seventh Man (2003/II)
Abandon (2002) (director of photography)
Phone Booth (2002)
When Incubus Attacks (2002) (V)
Xzibit: Restless Xposed (2001) (V) (segment "What U See Is What U Get")
Cosmic Coffee (2001)
MTV 20: Jams (2001) (V) (video "Anytime")
Josie and the Pussycats (2001)
Tigerland (2000) ... aka Tigerland (Germany)
Requiem for a Dream (2000)
Saturn (1999) ... aka Speed of Life (USA: DVD title)
The Party Crashers (1998)
Pi (1998)
Soldier Boyz (1997) (VG)
"Women: Stories of Passion" (1 episode, 1997) - Grip Till It Hurts (1997) TV episode (as Matthew J. Libatique)
Grinders (1996)
Redneck (1995)
Til Death Do Us Part (1995)
Protozoa (1993)
Fortune Cookie (1991)