A beautifully shot black-and-white portrait of three hip-hop artists and street poets, Irish documentary ‘Broken Song’ - directed by Claire Dix - stands as a testament to the power of rap, poetry and song as methods of self-expression.
Cinematographer Richard Kendrick talks to IFTN about his experiences shooting the documentary - balancing darkness and light on the streets of North Dublin.
What camera did you use to shoot ‘Broken Song’?
The majority of it was shot on a Sony F3 with a Zeiss 15.5-45 lightweight zoom and a set of Zeiss CP2 Prime lenses. I used a Arri Alexa for some high speed sequences and a canon 1D with a housing for the underwater sections.
What do you prefer to use, digital or film? And why?
I think with the advances in digital cameras the choice between film & digital is less important. For me lenses, grip & lighting packages are much more important decisions.
Can you give an example where your cinematography alone was used to tell a part of the story in ‘Broken Song’?
We shot landscapes that were in a very different style to the observational sequences in the film. The idea was to give it a dreamy and distorted look. These sections are the only colour in the film and it was important to get them right.
Can you tell us one trick of the trade that only cinematographers might know of that you used on the ‘Broken Song’ shoot?
Don’t be afraid to go off the call sheet!
How did the weather and light affect the ‘Broken Song’ shoot?
Darkness and light is an overall theme in the film. The director Claire Dix had a strong vision for the film and I knew I wanted to be involved as soon as I read her treatment. I come from a documentary background and it was great to work on a project that really valued cinematography. On a more practical note getting the lads to jump into the sea on a cold and overcast November afternoon was a challenge for them and also for me to make it look good. I hope it was worth it!
Many people refer to cinematography as being an art form. What does that reference mean to you and do you agree with it?
I think it is an art form. It is a creative process and I always hope that the pictures will enhance the story in some way. To be creative you need time and freedom to experiment. Broken Song was commissioned by the Arts Council ‘Reel Art scheme’ It was great to be involved in a project that encouraged risk taking and creativity.
What new technological developments are you looking forward to in the field of cinematography, and what new developments would you like to see?
It is an exciting time but I think you should never let technology get in the way of the story. Saying that I have just bought a Canon C300, which has a super 35mm sensor and a set of Zeiss primes to match. It is a beautiful combination of new and old technology.
What other profession in the film & TV industry would you like to try?
All I know I would never like to be the other side of the lens. Production design would be something that would interest me, but the camera department is where I want to be.
What would winning an award for Best Cinematography for ‘Broken Song’ mean to you?
I will come back to you on that if I get a nomination!
The trailer for ‘Broken Song’, directed by Claire Dix, is available to view below.
