Sir Roger Deakins is the 3rd most nominated cinematographer in the history of the Oscars, having been nominated 15 times and winning two of them for Denis Villeneuve’sBlade Runner 2049and Sam Mendes'1917. Now, the legendary cinematographer has been knighted by Prince Charles at Windsor Castle on February 1st.
Deakins absolutely dominated the 2010s, earning nominations in every year but 2011, 2016, and 2018. He has credits in contemporaryclassics such asSkyfall,Prisoners,Unbroken, andSicario, amongst others.
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In a statement to the Hollywood Reporter, Deakins said, “The knighthood was an incredible honor that must be shared with my crew and collaborators. They are the reason I have been able to do what I’ve done. It’s a wonderful recognition that we all share.” Deakins was appointed CBE in 2013 and in the 2021 New Years Honors, it was announced that he would be knighted. He was joined by his wife, digital workflow specialist James Ellis Deakins, who took to their joint Instagram to joke that even in that kind of environment, Sir Deakins was looking at the chandeliers and remarking about their different color temperatures and their contrast against the daylight in the big windows and what they should do with the lighting in their current film. The two co-host a podcast together called Team Deakins Podcast, where they have conversations with various people from the film industry.
Sir Deakins is currently prepping to work on Shawn Mendes' England-setEmpire of Light. The project is described as a love story set in and around a beautiful old cinema on the South Coast of England in the 1980s. Mendes is producing the film with Pippa Harris via Neal Street Productions.Empire of Lightmarks Mendes' first solo outing as a screenwriter. So far only Olivia Colman has been announced to star in it. This is Mendes and Deakin’s third collaboration afterLeonardo DiCaprio’sRevolutionary RoadandSkyfall.
Deakins can currently be found on The British Society of Cinematographers Facebook page discussing his new book of still photography calledBywayswith fellow British cinematographer Dick Pope.Byways is a book full of still photography that Deakins shot in his travels across the world, and it can be ordered through his website.
Deakins is one of the most decorated andhighly regarded cinematographersever, so any accolades he adds to his tally is greatly deserved. He has also received five BAFTAs and five competitive American Society of Cinematographers Awards, in addition to the 2011 ASC Lifetime Achievement Award.
