«We advocate that the time has come for the cinematographer to be acknowledged as an author of "film" and as an artist with a refined technologist's instinct and expertise»

This is the paragraph that opens the website www.cinematographersday.com an organization that started its activity in 1999 in Palm Springs – USA. As the name announces it is one day dedicated to cinematographers and to cinematography.

The initial idea has departed from the Italian cinematographer Luciano Tovoli AIC, ASC who happens to be as well one of the founders of the European Federation of Cinematographers – IMAGO.

Luciano has dedicated part of his career to promote cinematography as an art form and therefore to be recognized by professionals and the public in general. From this principal Luciano was as well the creator, many years ago, of the International Cinematographers meeting in Aquila- Italy.

To promote cinematography as an art form is the principal goal of all the energy dispended by the committee of Cinematographers Day which is completed with David B. Kaminsky, M.D., Chairman and Frederic Goodich, ICG, DGA, Associate Chair.

Cinematographers Day takes place once a year. It has started in 1999 in Palm Springs and has moved to Bangkok for the last couple years.

This special day has the intention to spread the knowledge about cinematography «Through seminars, retrospectives and organized programs under the concept of Cinematographer's Day, it is intended that the industry, film students and public will gain insight into what the cinematographer contributes to the identity and integrity of a motion picture.

Cinematographer's Day provides the fertile venue for artistic and scientific exchange within the filmmaking community and the opportunity to influence filmmaking throughout the world. »

This important event takes place at the Bangkok International Film Festival in February 23-25 with the following program.

Program Highlights

Dancing Through Glass: the Choreography of the Lens
February 23, 2006
This program focuses on the cinematographer’s role in translating theatrical musical dance to the screen, the ballet of human motion as metaphor, and camera movements.

Tribute to Anthony Dod Mantle, DFF/BSC
February 24, 2006
The exquisite images of the 2006 recipient of the Crystal Lens Award will be discussed with an exhibition of clips and screenings of selected feature films.

Through Asian Eyes - February 25, 2006
The unique perspective of cinematographers from Japan, China, Thailand and Korea will be emphasized by discussion of techniques used to capture cultural images that reflect the diversity of their heritage as they influence world cinema.

Digital Cinema – February 25, 2006
Utilization of current technology for film restoration and preservation will be the substance of this technical seminar exemplified by the work of the French master cinematographer Pierre Lhomme who restored L’Armee des Ombres in collaboration with with Éclair Laboratories, Paris.

Program:

February 23
10:00 a.m. Introduction of Program Concepts by Cinematographer’s Day Chairman, Dr. David B. Kaminsky
10:15 a.m. Gene Kelly and the Revolution of Dance on Film – an Illustrated Overview by Patricia Ward Kelly
12:00 Noon Translating the Broadway Musical to Film

Human Motion as Metaphor – The Union of Body Language with Cinematic Language
1:30 p.m. Lunch
3:00 p.m. The Fight as Dance

How the Steadicam Changed Filmmaking – Garrett Brown

The “Hand Held” Camera Captures Movement
5:00 p.m. Screening: An American In Paris – Introduced by Patricia Ward Kelly

February 24,
A Tribute to Anthony Dod Mantle DFF
Anthony Dod Mantle’s expertise in still photography evolved to cinematography when he entered the National Film School of Denmark. His pioneering work with hand held image capture earned him a Camerimage Golden Frog nomination for the dogme film, Festen. His masterful visual imagery in almost fifty feature films has been rewarded with numerous prizes, including the prestigious European Film Award for Cinematography for two films, Dogville and 28 Days Later. The Bangkok International Film Festival is honored to present him with its Crystal Lens Award.

10:00 a.m. Introduction of Tribute and Anthony Dod Mantle by Cinematographer’s Day Chairman, Dr. David B. Kaminsky
10:15 a.m. Portal to Peace a lyrical documentary film by Anthony Dod Mantle, with implicit insights about him as a filmmaker: screening and discussion.
11:45 a.m. Dogme and the Hand Held Approach – Anthony Dod Mantle Mantle on Mantle: How He Sees What Becomes His Films
1:00 p.m. Lunch
2:30 p.m. Making Dear Wendy
2:45 p.m. Screening: Dear Wendy
5:00 p.m. Mantle and Colleagues – A Conversation About Filmmaking
6:00 p.m. Screening: Millions
February 25
10:00 a.m. Introduction of Asian Cinematographers by Christopher Doyle.
10:15 a.m. The Vision of Asian Eyes: an overview of cinematic images: Moderated by Lorenzo Codelli

Jeong-hun Jeong, Korea, Sympathy for Lady Vengeance

Peter Pau, Hong Kong, Perhaps Love (Pending)

Masaharu (Shoji) Ueda, Japan, Rhapsody in August

DP from Thailand
Digital Cinema
Utilization of current technology for film restoration and preservation will be the substance of this technical seminar exemplified by the work of the French master cinematographer Pierre Lhomme in collaboration with Éclair Laboratories, Paris.
12:30 p.m. Techniques of Film Restoration: Pierre Lhomme
2:00 p.m. Screening: L’armée des Ombres, restored version directed by Jean-Pierre Melville

LINKS.
http://www.cinematographersday.com/index.html
http://www.cinematographersday.com/cd_day_bio.htm
http://www.bangkokfilm.org/en/index.aspx