Cinematographer Mārtiņš Jurevics: I try to be the best friend of the director during filming
Cinematographer Mārtiņš Jurevics discusses his work on two highly nominated films and the contrasting styles in filmmaking with different directors.
Mārtiņš Jurevics, a prominent Latvian cinematographer, is currently involved in two significant projects nominated for the National Film Awards 'Lielais Kristaps 2025', where a total of 36 films have received nominations. Leading the nominations is the feature film 'Lotus' directed by Signes Birkova, which secured 16 nominations, highlighting Jurevics’s essential role in its creation. Another noteworthy project he worked on is Alise Zariņa's film 'Nospiedumi', which gathered ten nominations, showcasing Jurevics’s versatile skills in differing cinematic styles.
In his insights about the two films, Jurevics describes the contrasting genres they represent. 'Lotus' is portrayed as a fantastical world, markedly different from the modern realist narrative of 'Nospiedumi'. He emphasizes the distinct creative approaches required to evoke such differing atmospheres. For 'Lotus', the challenge lay in creating a visually captivating yet realistic fairy-tale environment, demanding a unique filming methodology compared to the grounded reality represented in 'Nospiedumi'.
Furthermore, Jurevics reflects on the collaboration process with directors, expressing that each partnership presents an entirely different working dynamic. He articulates that the most intriguing aspect of being a cinematographer is engaging with various directors, as every collaboration yields a new and unique creative challenge. This adaptability and openness to different creative visions underscore his contributions to the Latvian film industry, particularly as it gathers recognition through prestigious accolades like the Lielais Kristaps.