Phedon Papamichael, ASC (, Faidon Papamihail; born February 1962) is a Greek cinematographer and film director, known for his collaborations with directors James Mangold and Alexander Payne.
He has been nominated for two Academy Awards for Best Cinematography, for Nebraska (2013) and The Trial of the Chicago 7 (2020).
Early life and education Papamichael was born in Athens, Greece in 1962 to a Greek father and a German mother.
When he was six years old, his family relocated to the United States, as his father, a well-known artist and set designer, was offered a job as a production designer for John Cassavetes.
He studied photography and art at LMU Munich and received his Bachelor in Fine Arts in 1982.
Career Papamichael's first job as a cinematographer was in the 1988 film Dance of the Damned, directed by Katt Shea. He would go on to make several future collaborations with director Shea and producer Roger Corman, making him a member of the so-called "Corman Film School", much like his contemporary Janusz Kamiński.
He made his debut as a director with the film Sketch Artist, and later directed Dark Side of Genius, From Within and Arcadia Lost.
In 2000, he was awarded the Prix Vision of the Avignon Film Festival for his cinematography in 27 Missing Kisses.
He has been a member of the American Society of Cinematographers since 2000.
Personal life He spends his time between Los Angeles and Leonidio, Greece.
In an interview with Greek Reporter, Papamichael said, ”I want to spend more time in Greece from next year. My parents live there and my home is also there. I visit Los Angeles regularly just for my job. Obviously, I will move permanently to Leonidio some time in the future. It’s unlikely to live the twilight of my life in the United States.” He also has a wife and two children.
Filmography Cinematographer Film Year Title Director Notes1989 Stripped to Kill II: Live Girls Katt Shea Nowhere to Run Carl Franklin Dance of the Damned Katt Shea After Midnight Ken WheatJim Wheat1990 Streets Katt Shea Body Chemistry Kristine Peterson Prayer of the Rollerboys Rick King 1991 Driving Me Crazy Jon Turteltaub 1992 Poison Ivy Katt Shea 1993 Cool Runnings Jon Turteltaub 1994 Dark Side of Genius Himself1995 While You Were Sleeping Jon Turteltaub Unstrung Heroes Diane Keaton1996 Bio-Dome Jason Bloom Phenomenon Jon Turteltaub Unhook the Stars Nick Cassavetes1997 The Locusts John Patrick Kelley Mouse Hunt Gore Verbinski 1998 Patch Adams Tom Shadyac 2000 The Million Dollar Hotel Wim Wenders 27 Missing Kisses Nana Djordjadze 2001 America's Sweethearts Joe Roth 2002 Moonlight Mile Brad Silberling 2003 Identity James Mangold 1st collaboration with Mangold 2004 Sideways Alexander Payne 1st collaboration with Payne2005 Walk the Line James Mangold The Weather Man Gore Verbinski 2006 10 Items or Less Brad Silberling The Pursuit of Happyness Gabriele Muccino Mathilde Nina Mimica With Stefano Paradiso 2007 3:10 to Yuma James Mangold 2008 W. Oliver Stone 2009 Arcadia Lost Himself 2010 Knight and Day James Mangold2011 The Ides of March George Clooney The Descendants Alexander Payne 2012 This Is 40 Judd Apatow 2013 Nebraska Alexander Payne 2014 The Monuments Men George Clooney 2016 The Huntsman: Winter's War Cedric Nicolas-Troyan 2017 Downsizing Alexander Payne 2019 Ford v Ferrari James Mangold 2020 The Trial of the Chicago 7 Aaron Sorkin 2021 Brighton 4th Levan Koguashvili2023 Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny James Mangold Daddio Christy Hall Light Falls Himself With Akis Konstantakopoulos 2024 A Complete Unknown James Mangold
Television Year Title Director Notes 1993 Wild Palms Peter HewittKeith GordonKathryn BigelowPhil Joanou Miniseries1995 White Dwarf Peter MarkleTV movie The Conversation Dean Parisot 2006 Men in Trees James Mangold Episode "Pilot"
Director Year Title Director Producer Notes 1992 Sketch Artist TV movie 1994 Dark Side of Genius 2008 From Within 2009 Arcadia Lost 2012 Lost Angeles 2016 A Beautiful Day Short film 2023 Light Falls
Awards and nominations Year Title Award Category Result 2013Academy AwardsBest Cinematography Nebraska 2020 The Trial of the Chicago 7 2013BAFTA AwardsBest Cinematography Nebraska 2019 Ford v Ferrari 2013American Society of CinematographersOutstanding Achievement in Cinematography Nebraska 2019 Ford v Ferrari 2020 The Trial of the Chicago 7 2024 A Complete Unknown
Other awards As cinematographer Year Title Award/Nomination 2000 27 Missing Kisses Avignon Prix VisionNominated–Camerimage Golden Frog The Million Dollar Hotel Nominated–Camerimage Golden Frog 2005 Walk the Line Camerimage Presidents' AwardNominated–Camerimage Golden Frog 2013 NebraskaBSC Award for Best Cinematography in a Feature FilmNominated–Critics' Choice Movie Award for Best CinematographyNominated–Camerimage Golden FrogNominated–IndieWire Critics Poll Award for Best CinematographyNominated–National Society of Film Critics Award for Best CinematographyNominated–New York Film Critics Circle Award for Best CinematographyNominated–San Francisco Film Critics Circle Award for Best CinematographyNominated–St. Louis Film Critics Association Award for Best Cinematography 2019 Ford v Ferrari Nominated–Critics' Choice Movie Award for Best CinematographyNominated–North Texas Film Critics Association Award for Best CinematographyNominated–San Diego Film Critics Society Award for Best CinematographyNominated–Satellite Award for Best Cinematography
As director Year Title Award/Nomination2008From WithinFestival of Fantastic Films Special Commendation AwardGérardmer Critics Award for Best Feature Film2009Arcadia LostNominated–Orpheus Award for Best Feature FilmNominated–German Independence Audience Award2016A Beautiful DayRhode Island Festival First Prize for Best Short FilmRhode Island Festival Audience Award for Best Short FilmVan Vlahakis Award for Best Short Film
References
External links
Phedon Papamichael at the Internet Encyclopedia of Cinematographers Interview at CameraGuild.com Phedon Papamichael at the Ellines.com