Could ‘Elvis’ Cinematographer Mandy Walker Make History by Becoming the First Woman to Win Both ASC and Oscar Trophies?
variety.comJazz Tangcay Artisans Editor Is the Oscar cinematography category making progress when it comes to recognizing female DPs? This year, Mandy Walker became only the third woman ever nominated for cinematography for her work on “Elvis.” Rachel Morrison (“Mudbound”) made history as the first female DP to land a nom and that was in 2018, while Ari Wegner was nominated last year for “The Power of the Dog.” Walker’s up against James Friend (“All Quiet on the Western Front”), Darius Khondji (“Bardo, False Chronicle of a Handful of Truths”), Roger Deakins (“Empire of Light”) and Florian Hoffmeister (“Tár”), in a very competitive race.
While the cinematographers’ branch has a notoriously poor track record in honoring diverse artists — no Black DP has ever won the category and only two have been nominated — Walker might have an edge.
Her work on “Elvis” earned her the Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts gong for cinematography — the first woman to take home this prize ever.
Walker is Luhrmann’s go-to cinematographer. Luhrmann recalls seeing Walker’s work on the 2001 drama “Lantana.” The director thought using “it was a great opportunity for me to explore a photographic collaborator who is different from anyone I’ve ever worked with,” he says.
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