Cinematography: Anthony Dod Mantle, ‘Slumdog Millionaire’

Anthony Dod Mantle

“Slumdog Millionaire”

Arguably among the true mad wizards of modern world cinema, Mantle mixed conventional film cameras with small and light digital technology for “Slumdog Millionaire,” creating an essential ingredient to the film’s vibrantly colorful look and breakneck momentum. Hurtling through the street-level slums of Mumbai, India, to the high-rise construction sites that tower over the city, his work captured something elemental about the disorienting velocity of the city itself.

Though this was his first nomination for an Oscar, Mantle has been at the forefront of cinematography for more than a decade. Born in England, he has long lived in Denmark and, on films such as “The Celebration,” was a key technician behind the Dogme 95 film movement, among the first to bring digital filmmaking to the fore. He has worked often with director Lars von Trier, as well as “Slumdog Millionaire” director Danny Boyle.

Mantle and Boyle have previously collaborated on such films as “28 Days Later,” for which Mantle worked with converted consumer-grade cameras, and “Millions.”

In the run-up to this year’s Academy Awards, Mantle won a number of significant precursors, most notably the top award from the American Society of Cinematographers.