Horror News and Commentary

Cinematographer Sven Nykvist Dies at 83

Though not normally associated with the horror genre, Sven Nykvist's cinematography for Ingmar Bergman's "The Hour of the Wolf" gives him a lasting place in the lineage of horror films. According to The New York Times, Nykvist suffered from aphasia, which the National Aphasia Association defines as "an impairment of the ability to use or comprehend words, usually acquired as a result of a stroke or other brain injury."

Nykvist is often thought of as Bergman's right-hand man, but he worked with other big names, too. The Times mentions his work with Louis Malle, Philip Kaufman, Bob Fosse, Nora Ephron, Woody Allen and Richard Attenborough (though they somehow manage to leave out his collaboration with Andrei Tarkovsky on "The Sacrifice" in 1986). Not a bad resume, all in all. He even took his own stab at directing--and shooting--the picture "The Ox" in 1991. Not only was it surprisingly good, but it starred a couple of other Bergman favorites: Liv Ullman and Max von Sydow.

For more insight into Nykvist and many other great cinematographers, consider yourself urged to check out the documentary "Visions of Light." It's a rare look at the art of cinematography and its largely unsung contribution to the films we love.--Pete Mesling

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Posted by Pete on September 21, 2006 3:55 PM
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