Rodrigo Prieto

Rodrigo Prieto(born November 1965) is aMexicancinematographer. Rodrigo Prieto was born inMexico City,Mexico. His grandfather, Jorge Prieto Laurens, was the mayor ofMexico Cityand leader of theChamber of Deputies of Mexico, but was later persecuted by the country's ruler because of political differences. Prieto's grandfather escaped with his family toTexasand then toLos Angeles. There, Prieto's father would spend most of his childhood. He studiedaeronautical engineeringat New York University, where he met and married Prieto's mother, an art student. Prieto graduated fromCentro de Capacitación CinematográficainMexico City; He has become an established cinematographer, working with such names asSpike Lee(25th Hour),Curtis Hanson(8 Mile),Ang Lee(Brokeback Mountain,Lust, Caution)andPedro Almodovar(Broken Embraces.) Nonetheless, his political legacy still has a visible effect on his career. In 2002, he shotFrida, a film aboutFrida Kahlo, acommunistMexican artist. In 2003, he cooperated withOliver Stonein twodocumentaryprojects:Comandante, aboutFidel Castro, andPersona Non Grata, aboutYassir Arafat. In 2004, he shotAlexanderfor Stone. Prieto also worked withAlejandro González Iñárrituon the acclaimedAmores Perros,21 Grams,BabelandBiutiful. Prieto has most recently formed an artistic collaboration withMartin Scorsese; first onThe Wolf of Wall Streetand most recently,Silence. Prieto is noted for his unconventional use of the camera often combined with strong moody lighting. In25th Hour, Prieto utilized overexposure and other techniques to create original dream-like images to signify that the events shown on screen are memories or visions. Similarly innovative photography could be spotted inFrida, featuring strong colors and sharp imagery blended with atmospheric yellows and browns, as well as his experimental use of infrared during a battle scene inAlexander. He also is interested in evoking naturalism, most evident inThe HomesmanandBrokeback Mountain.