Spielberg’s film ‘Lincoln’ puts Kamiński in the Oscar spotlight

Poles are no strangers to praise when it comes to their cinematic art. Steven Spielberg's historical drama 'Lincoln', nominated for 12 Oscars including Best Film and Cinematography and starring Daniel Day-Lewis, has a familiar face for cinema lovers in Poland.

Janusz Kamiński, an Oscar-winning cinematographer, has also been honoured with a nomination from the American Society of Cinematographers for Outstanding Achievement.

It will be no surprise to film buffs therefore, to hear that the film school in Łódz gave birth to many Polish cinema giants. Academy award winning directors Andrzej Wajda and Roman Polanski, as well as Slawomir Idziak (who worked on all Kieślowski's early movies), to name but a few.

So what differs them from those schooled in places one may presume are maternity wards for movie artist talent? Some claim it is actually a rather simple formula - the directors ability to form close relationships with and respect for cinematographers. The Spielberg-Kamiński pairing is proof of that. They are not merely regarded as technical operators, but respected as artists in and of their own right, with valuable contributions to make on set.

Kamiński has an incredibly impressive list of top-grade movies under his belt, having photographed all ll of Stephen Spielberg's films since Schindler's List in 1993. He both follows in the footsteps of and provides inspiration for a long list of great Poles at the helm of the camera.

 Check the lists below carefully, you may be pleasantly surprised to see some of your favourite films there!


Janusz Kamiński

* Indiana Jones 4 (2008) (announced)
* Le Scaphandre et le papillon (The Diving Bell and the Butterfly) (2007)
* Munich (2005)
* War of the Worlds (2005)
* Jumbo Girl (2004)
* The Terminal (2004)
* Catch Me If You Can (2002)
* Minority Report (2002)
* Artificial Intelligence: AI (2001)
* Saving Private Ryan (1998)
* Amistad (1997)
* The Lost World: Jurassic Park (1997)
* Jerry Maguire (1996)
* How to Make an American Quilt (1995)
* Tall Tale (1995)
* Little Giants (1994)
* Schindler's List (1993)
* Class of '61 (1993)
* The Adventures of Huck Finn (1993)
* Trouble Bound (1993)
* Mad Dog Coll (1992)
* Wildflower (1991)
* Cool as Ice (1991)
* Killer Instinct (1991)
* Pyrates (1991)
* Grim Prairie Tales (1990)
* The Rain Killer (1990)
* The Terror Within II (1990)

Andrzej Bartkowiak-

* Thirteen Days (2000)
* Gossip (2000)
* Turkey. Cake. (1999)
* Lethal Weapon 4 (1998)
* U.S. Marshals (1998)
* The Devil's Advocate (1997)
* Dante's Peak (1997)
* The Mirror Has Two Faces (1996)
* Jade (1995)
* Species (1995)
* Losing Isaiah (1995)
* A Good Man in Africa (1994) by Bruce Beresford
* Speed (1994) by Jan De Bont
* Guilty as Sin (1993)
* Falling Down (1993)
* A Stranger Among Us (1992)
* Hard Promises (1991)
* Q & A (1990)
* Family Business (1989)
* Twins (1988)
* Nuts (1987) by Barbra Streisand
* The Morning After (1986)
* Power (1986)
* Prizzi's Honor (1985) by John Houston
* Garbo Talks (1984) also appeared
* Terms of Endearment (1983)
* Daniel (1983)
* The Verdict (1982)
* Ira Levin's Deathtrap (1982)
* Prince of the City (1981) by Sidney Lumet
* 3 by Cheever: The 5:48 (1979/TV) by James Ivory
* Deadly Hero (1976)

Andrzej Sekuła

* Vice (2006)
* Nomad: The Two Worlds (2005)
* The Pleasure Drivers (2005)
* Cube 2: Hypercube (2002)
* Falling in Love in Pongo Ponga (2002)
* American Psycho (2000)
* Voodoo Dawn (1998)
* Stand-Ins (1997)
* A Further Gesture (1997)
* Cousin Bette (1997)
* Hackers (1995)
* Four Rooms (1995)
* Body Language (1995) (TV)
* Original Language (1995) (TV)
* Across the Moon (1995)
* Pulp Fiction (1994)
* Sleep with Me (1994)
* Oleanna (1994)
* Bank Robber (1993)
* Three of Hearts (1993)
* Revolver (1992)
* Reservoir Dogs (1992)

Dariusz Wolski

* A Perfect Murder
* Pirates of the Caribbean: Curse of the Black Pearl
* Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest
* Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End
* Dark City
* The Crow
* Romeo is Bleeding
* Sweeney Todd
* Namastey London
* Crimson Tide

Piotr Sobocinski

* Three Colors: Red
* Ransom
* Angel Eyes
* Twilight

Slawomir Idziak

* Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
* King Arthur
* Proof of Life
* Black Hawk Down

Pawel Edelman

* Oliver Twist
* Ray
* The Pianist

Bartek Propokowicz

* Komornik (Debt Collector)(2005)
* Dług (Debt) (1999)

If you can think of anymore, feel free to let us know.

by Damien Moran