Nestor Almendros in conversation with Dennis Schaefer and Larry Salvato in the book Masters of Light:
..In this film, fortunately we have done things with time and research. Robert Benton wanted to come from Piero Dela Francesca, amazingly enough for a contemporary subject; but that was the painter we studied to begin this movie. We looked at a lot of frescos and books.
As the film went on, I found that the objects in the film have no connection with Pierro della Francesca; we had the colors and we tried to match the colors on the walls and clothes, etc. But, little by little, in the middle of the movie, I began to get interested in David Hockney. Then, just the other day, I was very happy to find out that David Hockney admires Piero della Francesca a lot and he actually considers himself a follower of his. So I was not that far off. I've been searching through David Hockney lately because he uses contemporary things like chairs, cactus in a pot, lampshades and windows; things that look like things that are in this movie. .."
I know it is a rather old movie. But it was one of the best movies that I watched in my final year of college. I still remember it vividly. I hope to post some stuff on Hockney later tomorrow. Don't know anything about Piero della Francesca. Incidentally, 'Masters of Light' seems to be an awesome book (just started it).
Posted by Kaushik at November 11, 2002 10:01 PM | TrackBack