Entertainment · Film · 3 hrs ago
A Film Student’s Email Led to a Documentary About Robert Richardson
Czech filmmaker Jana Hojdová’s 2016 email to cinematographer Robert Richardson began as a request for her master’s thesis at Prague’s FAMU film school.
Unlike many people who contact him, she asked about his life and background, not his filmmaking techniques.
Their correspondence grew into a friendship and a documentary, Hojdová’s feature directorial debut, “Robert Richardson: The White Devil.”
She began filming Richardson’s work and daily life, and he agreed to the project on the condition that she appear in it too.
The pandemic kept them together for months at Richardson’s home in Massachusetts, where Hojdová found extensive archives that helped bring his stories to the screen.
The film offers a personal portrait of a celebrated cinematographer known for collaborations with Martin Scorsese, Oliver Stone and Quentin Tarantino and for three Oscars.
Hojdová and Richardson are also working on a book based on the film’s research and his archives; they said it was still unfinished.
A 2016 email from Czech film student Jana Hojdová to cinematographer Robert Richardson led to a correspondence that became a friendship and a documentary.
Hojdová’s feature directorial debut, “Robert Richardson: The White Devil,” follows Richardson’s life and work.
The project grew after Hojdová visited Richardson’s home and found extensive photographs and records in his archives.
The COVID-19 pandemic extended her stay, with Richardson saying it changed the film.
Hojdová and Richardson are also working on a book based on the film’s research and his archives.
- Who
- Film student and director Jana Hojdová and cinematographer Robert Richardson.
- What
- Their correspondence grew into a friendship and Hojdová’s documentary, “Robert Richardson: The White Devil.
- When
- Hojdová emailed Richardson in 2016; she met him in 2017. The film was discussed at a private screening on October 29.
- Where
- Hojdová was studying at Prague’s FAMU film school; she later visited Richardson in New Zealand and at his home in Massachusetts.
- Why
- Hojdová initially contacted Richardson for her master’s thesis and wanted to ask about his life, not only his technical work.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Hojdová emailed Richardson while working on her master’s thesis.
Hojdová traveled to New Zealand to meet Richardson during production of “Adrift.
Richardson agreed to the film on the condition that Hojdová would also appear in it.
Hojdová’s visit to Richardson’s home expanded into a stay of several months.
Hojdová and Richardson took part in a Q&A after a private screening at Soho House West Hollywood.
- Documentary
- Robert Richardson: The White Devil
- Director
- Jana Hojdová
- First email
- 2016
- Film school
- Prague’s FAMU
- Private screening
- October 29, Soho House West Hollywood
- Book project
- 350 pages, and still unfinished
What people are saying
There wasn’t one that was technical. It was who are you? Where do you come from? What’s your life like?
If we didn’t have COVID, it wouldn’t be a movie.
350 pages and we are not done