Sven Nykvist (born 3 December, 1922 in Moheda , Kronobergs län, Sweden) is a Swedish cinematographer known especially for his work with director Ingmar Bergman. His work is generally noted for its naturalistic and simplistic qualities.

Biography

Sven Nykvist, considered by many to be one of the greatest cinematographers of all time, entered the Swedish film industry at the age of 19. In 1941, he became an assistant cameraman. In 1945, at the age of 23, he became a full-fledged cinematographer. He worked on many small Swedish films for the next few years, but it was in 1953 that he worked with the legendary director Ingmar Bergman on Sawdust and Tinsel . He was one of three cinematographers working on that movie. Nykvist would eventually become Bergman's full-time cinematographer and push the director's work in a new direction, away from the theatrical look of his older films.

Throughout the years, Nykvist has won Academy Awards for two of his movies, Cries and Whispers (1973), and Fanny and Alexander (1982). He was also nominated for The Unbearable Lightness of Being (1988) and The Ox (1991), for Best Foreign Language Film, which he directed.

Selected Filmography

• What's Eating Gilbert Grape (1993)
• Sleepless in Seattle (1993)
• Chaplin (1992)
• Crimes and Misdemeanors (1989)
• New York Stories (1989) (segment "Oedipus Wrecks")
• The Unbearable Lightness of Being (1988)
• Fanny and Alexander (1982) (Fanny och Alexander) (won Academy Award for Best Cinematography)
• From the Life of the Marionettes (1980) (Aus dem Leben der Marionetten)
• Autumn Sonata (1978) (Höstsonaten)
• The Serpent's Egg (1977) (Das Schlangenei)
• The Magic Flute (1975) (Trollflöjten)
• Scenes from a Marriage (1973) (Scener ur ett äktenskap)
• Cries and Whispers (1973) (Viskningar och rop) (won Academy Award for Best Cinematography)
• The Touch (1971) (Beröringen)
• The Passion of Anna (1969) (En Passion)
• Hour of the Wolf (1968) (Vargtimmen)
• Shame (1968) (Skammen)
• Persona (1966)
• Winter Light (1963) (Nattvardsgästerna)
• The Silence (1963) (Tystnaden)
• Through a Glass Darkly (1961) (Såsom i en spegel)
• The Virgin Spring (1960) (Jungfrukällan)
• Sawdust and Tinsel (1953)

External Links