Mikhail Krichman

Mikhail Krichman (Михаил Владимирович Кричман; born 1967) is a Russian cinematographer who received a Golden Osella award at the 67th Venice Film Festival for Silent Souls and 3 time award winner at Camerimage.[1] Krichman is best known to western audiences for his work with renowned Russian director Andrey Zvyagintsev. He photographed all of Zvyagintsev's films, including The Return (2003), The Banishment (2007), Elena (2010), Leviathan (2014) and Loveless (2017).[2] Zvyagintsev claims that Krichman (an engineer by profession) learned his craft by reading American Cinematographer. Krichman also shot Miss Julie for Norwegian director Liv Ullmann.

Mikhail Krichman
Born (1967-06-17) 17 June 1967
Russia
OccupationCinematographer
Years active2000–present

Style

Krichman's cinematography is instrumental in creating the mood that is so imperative to Zvyagintsev's distinctively harrowing journeys of the soul. Predominantly shooting with a crisp, wide lens, Krichman's work often juxtaposes the embittered faces of characters against the weather-worn yet picturesque Russian landscape. There's a coldness to his work, yet it exudes an existential aura that feels like a nightmare slowly unravelling before your eyes. Preferring to film in 35mm and manipulating natural light rather than relying on artificial light sources, Krichman lights space before characters, grounding them within their surroundings and adding an air of realism and immediacy to the events that unfurl.[3]

Early life

His parents come from the field of book typesetting. After finishing his army service he did not know what to do with himself, and he chose the easiest path. He spent a lot of time in printing houses, and liked the smell of the paint. Those were the things from his childhood that made him start his studies at what is now Moscow State University of Printing Arts.

It was around 1991. He joined the department of technical studies, learning about the technology and the process of book printing. After third semester he moved to an extramural study program and started doing part-time jobs. And it so happened that he met a guy that was about to graduate from the cinematography department of the Gerasimov Institute of Cinematography. It was a birthday party, and he asked a question that probably a lot of people ask in a similar situation – would it be possible to visit a set and see how things work when they shoot a movie. Then after a year he got in touch, saying that he had an opportunity for Krichman to come and visit a set. That was how Krichman saw a film set for the first time – as he was directing and shooting some kind of a commercial.[4]

Filmography

Awards and nominations
List of awards and nominations
Award Category Year Nominated work Result Ref.
Camerimage Golden Frog 2017 Loveless Silver Frog [5]
Camerimage Golden Frog 2014 Leviathan Won [6]
Camerimage Golden Frog 2010 Silent Souls Silver Frog [7]
Camerimage Golden Frog 2003 The Return Nominated [8]
European Film Awards Carlo di Palma European Film Award for Best Cinematographer 2017 Loveless Won
2007 The Banishment Nominated
Venice Film Festival Golden Osella 2010 Silent Souls Won
Nika Awards Best Cinematographer
2018 Loveless Nominated
2015 Leviathan Nominated
2012 Elena Won
2011 Silent Souls Nominated
2008 The Banishment Nominated
2004 The Return Won
Golden Eagle Awards Best Cinematography 2017 Loveless Nominated [9]
2014 Leviathan Nominated
2011 Elena Won
2010 Silent Souls Nominated
2004 The Return Won
Russian Guild of Film Critics Best Cinematographer 2017 Loveless Won

[10]

2014 Leviathan Nominated

[11]

2011 Elena Nominated

[12]

2010 Silent Souls Nominated

[13]

2007 The Banishment Won

[14]

2003 The Return Won

[15]

References
  1. "Biennale Cinema 2022 | Homepage 2022". 3 November 2021.
  2. "Энциклопедия отечественного кино". Archived from the original on 2011-11-28. Retrieved 2011-09-23.
  3. "The light fantastic: Ten cinematographers from the new east".
  4. "Cinematoraphy of "Miss Julie" – interview with Mikhail Krichman · Pushing Pixels".
  5. "CAMERIMAGE 2017 WINNERS! – EnergaCAMERIMAGE 2021".
  6. "Archive – EnergaCAMERIMAGE 2021".
  7. "Archive – EnergaCAMERIMAGE 2021".
  8. "Archive – EnergaCAMERIMAGE 2021".
  9. "Михаил Кричман — биография, фильмография, фотографии оператора".
  10. "2017 | КиноПресса".
  11. "2014 | КиноПресса".
  12. "2011 | КиноПресса".
  13. "2010 | КиноПресса".
  14. "2007 | КиноПресса".
  15. "2003 | КиноПресса".
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