Janusz Kaminski – Cinematographer, Director of Photography, Film Director
People — By Zuzanna on February 7, 2009 at 9:00 pm
Schindler’s List, Saving Private Ryan, The Lost World: Jurassic Park, Amistad, Artificial Intelligence: AI, Minority Report, Munich, War of the Worlds, Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, The Diving Bell and the Butterfly – to name his biggest movies.
2 Oscars, a BAFTA and the Independent Spirit Award – to name his greatest awards.
Born in a small village in Poland behind the Iron Curtain, he was fascinated with cinema since his childhood. When martial law was imposed in Poland in 1981 Kaminski, being on holiday in Greece at the time decided not to go back. He immigrated to the USA at the age of 22.
He’s created some of the most memorable images in the cinema. Ambition, frustration and the appalling vision of life working in a factory gave him the motivation to make his dreams come true.
His first dreams when coming to the USA?
To own a a pair of blue jeans, a rarity in communistic Poland, and for many young people at the time a symbol of freedom.
Did he speak English when coming to the States?
Just a little, but quickly took up a language course.
What were his first jobs?
Firstly as a machine operator – fired, then as a warehouse worker – also fired.
When did he start on his way to a career in Hollywood?
He decided to take up studies in a film program at Colombia College, and went on to receive a masters degree at the American Film Institute Conservatory. While studying he was building up a good CV.
How did he meet Steven Spielberg?
Spielberg saw one of his movies and asked if Kaminski would like to work on a movie together. Soon after that he won Oscar for Schindler’s List.
Words which come to my mind when thinking of him – ambition, focus, sacrifice, passion, hard work.
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