How the Cinematographer of “All the President’s Men” and “The Godfather” Influenced Todd Haynes‘s “Dark Waters” (Vanity Fair)
Director Todd Haynes discusses how seminal '70s filmmaking—specifically the work of cinematographer Gordon Willis—became his guide to how to make smart, elegant films that don't talk down to their audience.
Bill Camp (left) as Wilbur Tennant and Mark Ruffalo (right) as Robert Bilott in director Todd Haynes’ DARK WATERS, a Focus Features release. Photo by Mary Cybulski/Focus Features
“We’re living in a moment for urgent, quickly made political storytelling in Hollywood—and Dark Waters, the new thriller from Todd Haynes, is a case in point. Based on a 2016 New York Times Magazine feature by Nathaniel Rich, the film tells the story of Rob Bilott, a corporate defense attorney who makes the stunning choice to work on behalf of the little guy—local farmers in West Virginia—to sue DuPont chemical company, the kind of company his law firm usually defends.” – Source: Vanity Fair
Director Todd Haynes discusses what it was like to make his fastest film to date, and how seminal ’70s filmmaking–specifically the work of cinematographer Gordon Willis–became his tutorial in how to make smart, elegant films that don’t talk down to their audience.
Bill Camp (left) as “Wilbur Tennant” and Mark Ruffalo (right) as “Robert Bilott” in director Todd Haynes’ DARK WATERS, a Focus Features release. Credit : Mary Cybulski / Focus Features
Mark Ruffalo stars as “Robert Bilott” in director Todd Haynes’ DARK WATERS, a Focus Features release. Credit : Mary Cybulski / Focus Features
Actor Mark Ruffalo (left) and director Todd Haynes (right) on the set of DARK WATERS, a Focus Features release. Credit : Mary Cybulski / Focus Features
Mark Ruffalo stars as “Robert Bilott” in director Todd Haynes’ DARK WATERS, a Focus Features release. Credit : Mary Cybulski / Focus Features
Anne Hathaway stars as “Sarah Barlage” in director Todd Haynes’ DARK WATERS, a Focus Features release. Credit : Mary Cybulski / Focus Features
Tim Robbins stars as “Tom Terp” in director Todd Haynes’ DARK WATERS, a Focus Features release. Credit : Mary Cybulski / Focus Features
Victor Garber (left) as “Phil Donnelly” and Tim Robbins (right) as “Tom Terp” in director Todd Haynes’ DARK WATERS, a Focus Features release. Credit : Mary Cybulski / Focus Features
Bill Camp (left) as “Wilbur Tennant” and Jim Azelvandre (right) as “Jim Tennant” in director Todd Haynes’ DARK WATERS, a Focus Features release. Credit : Mary Cybulski / Focus Features
William Jackson Harper stars as “James Ross” in director Todd Haynes’ DARK WATERS, a Focus Features release. Credit : Mary Cybulski / Focus Features
Bill Camp (left) as “Wilbur Tennant” and Mark Ruffalo (right) as “Robert Bilott” in director Todd Haynes’ DARK WATERS, a Focus Features release. Credit : Mary Cybulski / Focus Features
Mark Ruffalo stars as “Robert Bilott” in director Todd Haynes’ DARK WATERS, a Focus Features release. Credit : Mary Cybulski / Focus Features
Mark Ruffalo stars as “Robert Bilott” in director Todd Haynes’ DARK WATERS, a Focus Features release. Credit : Mary Cybulski / Focus Features
Subscribe
For more stories like this, and to keep up to date with all our market leading news, features and analysis, sign up to our newsletter here.
