MovieChat Forums > Le mépris (1964) Discussion > Best cinematography - 1964 Oscars

Best cinematography - 1964 Oscars

posted 20 years ago by Pvt_Joker
15 replies | jump to latest

I'm very suprised Contempt didn't get the award for best cinematography at the Oscars, and correct me if i'm wrong, nor Cannes or Venise. I think Raoul Coutard did an amazing job. The color-saturated composition of the images are simply stunning to look at. I immensely enjoy watching Contempt for its beautiful shots. I think Coutard's collaboration with Godard reached a culmination with contempt, after working with him for so many masterpieces such as Breathless, Pierrot the Fool and Masculin Féminin.

Zorba the greek won the oscar in 1964. I saw the movie, and i have to admit the cinematographer did a pretty decent job. However, 40 years later, Contempt stands out (with no doubt) as having the best cinematography. Another big mistake for the academy.

Here is a very informative essay on Contempt, from the criterion collection web site.
http://www.criterionco.com/asp/release.asp?id=171&eid=260&section=essay

[–] jazzest 20 years ago

I agree re: the beauty of cinematography in this film. IMHO, it could be the best cinematography in film history, for the well-choreographed lengthy takes and the usage of color.

However, I wouldn't be surprised if the film wasn't even nominated for the Oscars. Maybe, it's too artistically inclined and too off the mainstream to be in the place like the academy.

BTW, Pierrot le fou and Masculin Féminin were made after Contempt.

[–] golden_hawk 20 years ago

One could easily say that most (if not every single one) of the shots has a deeper meaning and that tries to in a way reflect what the film is (and is not) about. The colours in particular are very well chosen and the camerawork is beautiful as well.

True lbove lbasts a lbifetime.

[–] 20 years ago

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[–] golden_hawk 20 years ago

And a huge one, I'd add.

True lbove lbasts a lbifetime.

[–] 20 years ago

[deleted]

[–] golden_hawk 20 years ago

I'll probably change the ranking tomorrow morning.

I didn't rank Contempt btw. I saw it.

Same with me and 8½, and that's why Le Mépris would probably get the cinematography award for me right now.

Also, I have yet another objectivity debate going on with Mephisto- if you'd like to help!

I've seen it and PMed her (I believe it's a her? weird username, though) about it. I was just having the same discussion via PMs.

True lbove lbasts a lbifetime.

[–] Devil_In_A_New_Dress 19 years ago

You are right. This is one of the biggest best cinematography snub in Oscar history. I don't know if anyone here has seen Michelangelo Antonioni's "Il Deserto Rosso", but it came out (I think) the same year as this did. It was also snubbed of a Best Cinematography nod, the visuals were breathtaking.

[–] ssjgoten24 19 years ago

I think it's important to remember that the Oscars are put on by Hollywood to celebrate themselves. Because of this, it is rare in the history of the Oscars for a foreign film to be nominated for something beyond the foreign film category. Obvioiusly, there are exceptions to this, but Hollywood for the most part uses the Oscars to celebrate themselves.

[–] 19 years ago

[deleted]

[–] Devil_In_A_New_Dress 19 years ago

I'm very suprised Contempt didn't get the award for best cinematography at the Oscars, and correct me if i'm wrong, nor Cannes or Venise.
_______________________________________________________________________________

If you are referring to the Cannes Film Festival, then yes you are wrong. It was not shown at the festival, I wish it was.

[–] julianoeastwood 18 years ago

actually don't have any awards or nominations for this movie !!!!!!!!!!!

[–] blackjackjohnson 18 years ago

there's no doubt: the cinematography of Raoul Coutard is magnificent (as in all of his films he did for Godard, e.g. BREATHLESS)

But do you really think Godard wants to get an Oscar??
i don't think so. Godard is that kind of Filmmaker who hates commercial Awards like the ones from The Academy.

it would be more than ironic if he'd got one for the movie in which the topic is the exploitation of the director through the producers.

[–] tawdry_hepburn 17 years ago

I agree. This is definitely one of the 2 or 3 most beautiful films I have ever seen. The shot where Bardot swims away nude while her husband stands on the steps might be the single most breathtaking image I have ever seen in a film. Especially during the third act in Capri, this movie is amazing, even as the story stalled, I sat rapt, watching the beautiful images.

But then, that might be the point since this film, like 2 or 3 Things I know about Her, is very much about words inability to communicate ideas properly.

said the shotgun to the head
-Saul Williams

[–] Sanjuro-15 17 years ago

Wow. Contempt AND Il Deserto Rosso both out in the same year and neither nominated! Shocking.

I see My Fair Lady won the oscar (Cinematography - colour, Zorba the Greek was black & white).

My Fair Lady and Mary Poppins or Contempt and Il Deserto Rosso. I know which I'd nominate, but then we wouldn't get any sappy songs to endure during the ceremony...

[–] tawdry_hepburn 17 years ago

Say what you will, but Mary Poppins is a hugely influential film and the cinematography was exceptional. There is a beauty to the shots, especially the chimney sweep song sequence which has wonderful depth of field with the dancing sweeps in the background and the clever mix of live action and animation shows real technical savvy that is worthy of the nomination.

said the shotgun to the head
-Saul Williams