Michael Ballhaus
Michael Ballhaus | |
|---|---|
Ballhaus in 2007 | |
| Born | 5 August 1935 |
| Died | 12 April 2017 (aged 81) Berlin, Germany |
| Years active | 1959–2013 |
| Organization | American Society of Cinematographers |
| Spouses | |
| Children | 2, including Florian Ballhaus |
| Parent(s) | Oskar Ballhaus Lena Hutter |
| Relatives | Carl Balhaus (uncle) |
Michael Ballhaus, A.S.C. (5 August 1935 – 12 April 2017) was a German cinematographer, known for his work with directors like Rainer Werner Fassbinder, Martin Scorsese, and Mike Nichols.
He was a member of both the Academy of Arts, Berlin and the American Society of Cinematographers.
Early life
Ballhaus was born on 5 August 1935 in Berlin to actors Lena Hutter and Oskar Ballhaus. His uncle was actor and director Carl Ballhaus.[1][2]
He was influenced by family friend Max Ophüls,[3] and appeared as an extra in Ophüls' last film Lola Montès (1955).[4]
Career
Ballhaus came to prominence with his work with Rainer Werner Fassbinder beginning with Whity (1971), in addition to The Bitter Tears of Petra von Kant (1972), Chinese Roulette (1976) and The Marriage of Maria Braun (1978). In 1990, he was the head of the jury at the 40th Berlin International Film Festival.[5]
After settling in the United States, he worked on many American films, such as Goodfellas (1990), Bram Stoker's Dracula (1992), Wild Wild West (1999) and Gangs of New York (2002).
Ballhaus also made an appearance in Rosa von Praunheim's film Fassbinder's Women (2000).
He was nominated three times for the Academy Award for Best Cinematography, but never won. He did win awards at the Chicago Film Critics Association, the Boston Society of Film Critics, and twice at the Los Angeles Film Critics Association.
His documentary In Berlin, made with Ciro Cappellari, was released in May 2009.
Ballhaus's final film was Sherry Hormann's 3096 Days in 2013.
Personal life and death
Ballhaus was married to actress and art director Helga Maria Betten from 1958 until her death in 2006.[6]
They had two sons, Florian, who is also a cinematographer, and Jan Sebastian, an assistant director.[7]
In 2011, Ballhaus married German-American director Sherry Hormann.[8]
He died at his home in Berlin at the age of 81, after a short illness.[9]
Filmography
Cinematographer
Film
Television
| Year | Title | Director | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1958-1970 | Sie schreiben mit | ||
| 1973 | World on a Wire | Rainer Werner Fassbinder | Miniseries |
| Tatort | Wolfgang Staudte | Episode "Tote brauchen keine Wohnung" | |
| 1974 | Ein Haus für uns | Wim Wenders | Episodes "Aus der Familie der Panzerechsen" and "Die Insel" |
| 1974-1976 | Unter einem Dach | ||
| 1979 | Alpensaga | Dieter Berner | Episode "Der deutsche Frühling" |
Awards and nominations
Academy Awards
| Year | Category | Title | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1987 | Best Cinematography | Broadcast News | Nominated |
| 1989 | The Fabulous Baker Boys | Nominated | |
| 2002 | Gangs of New York | Nominated |
BAFTA Awards
| Year | Category | Title | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | Best Cinematography | Goodfellas | Nominated |
| 1993 | The Age of Innocence | Nominated | |
| 2002 | Gangs of New York | Nominated |
Chicago Film Critics Association
| Year | Category | Title | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1992 | Best Cinematography | Bram Stoker's Dracula | Won |
| 2002 | Gangs of New York | Nominated | |
| 2006 | The Departed | Nominated |
Los Angeles Film Critics Association
| Year | Category | Title | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1989 | Best Cinematography | The Fabulous Baker Boys | Won |
| 1990 | Goodfellas | Won |
Satellite Awards
| Year | Category | Title | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | Best Cinematography | The Legend of Bagger Vance | Nominated |
| 2002 | Gangs of New York | Nominated |
Other awards
| Year | Award | Category | Title | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1985 | Independent Spirit Awards | Best Cinematography | After Hours | Nominated |
| 1989 | Boston Society of Film Critics | Best Cinematography | The Fabulous Baker Boys | Won |
| National Society of Film Critics | Best Cinematography | Won | ||
| 2007 | Bavarian Film Awards | Honorary Award | Won | |
See also
References
- ^ Filmreference.com
- ^ Thomas Vorwerk, Das fliegende Auge: Michael Ballhaus im Gespräch mit Tom Tykwer
- ^ A Conversation With Michael Ballhaus, ASC (November 20, 2006) at the Wayback Machine (archive index)
- ^ Michael Ballhaus discusses his connection with the Austrian director in the documentary film Working with Max Ophuls: Lola Montès Revisited (2008).
- ^ "Berlinale: 1990 Juries". berlinale.de. Retrieved 14 March 2011.
- ^ Fox, Margalit (15 April 2017). "Michael Ballhaus, an Oscar-Nominated Cinematographer, Dies at 81". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 21 February 2023.
- ^ "In Memoriam: Michael Ballhaus, ASC, BVK (1935-2017) – The American Society of Cinematographers (en-US)". theasc.com. Retrieved 21 February 2023.
- ^ Filmreife Hochzeit in Zehlendorf!. bild.de, 28 October 2011. Retrieved on 13 March 2012.
- ^ McNary, Dave (12 April 2017). "Michael Ballhaus, 'The Departed' and 'Goodfellas' Cinematographer, Dies at 81". Variety. Retrieved 11 January 2019.