Roger and James Deakins's Closet Picks

The Oscar-winning cinematographer Roger Deakins and his collaborator James Deakins-who discuss filmmaking on their podcast, Team Deakins-share stories about the heyday of punk, childhood memories of watching THE SEVENTH SEAL, and commentary about one of the most stunning black-and-white films ever made.
Shop Roger and James's Closet Picks: www.criterion.com/shop/collec...

[@siddharthamukherjee1996]

CLOSET PICKS: Kameradschaft by G. W. Pabst - Come and see - Tokyo Olympiad - Fires on the Plain - The Burmese Harp - Sid and Nancy - Le Cercle Rouge (English: "The Red Circle") by Jean-Pierre Melville - Le Silence de la Mer (English: The Silence of the Sea) - The Seventh Seal - L'Avventura (English: "The Adventure") - Mirror - Solaris - In Cold Blood

[@djnkosi]

thanks!

[@magicknight13]

Thank you!

[@Crunch_Buttsteak]

You forgot Freddy Got Fingered

[@ottobenam]

thanks for this.

[@artbrutfilm]

I know some would disagree but I think he's the greatest cinematographer that has ever lived and it's so wonderful that he's still with us. What a gift.

[@jeffboxill1278]

@@woodsman958Robby Müller clears all of them

[@phasednotfazed]

@@woodsman958 Denis Villenueve, expendable? Hmmm... I'd say he's THE best living Sci-Fi director working in the industry today. Sam Mendes? Sure. Denis V? not so much. If you can recommend somebody better, by all means... do.

[@jeffboxill1278]

@@woodsman958 but it’s not just Paris, Texas. You can say any film he’s worked has elevated the film. And the way he lit night scenes was just second to none. And I haven’t seen Blade Runner (I’m not a villeneuve fan).

[@jeffboxill1278]

@@woodsman958 thank you! Denis V gets way too much hype.

[@Largentina.]

​@@woodsman958You don't love Deakins' work on No Country For Old Men?

[@samgraef3028]

I got to meet Roger and James in March for the opening of an exhibit of his still photography. They were both incredibly kind and humble, and I got to speak with Roger 1-on-1 for probably 5 minutes despite being in a crowd of people and then for a few more minutes in a group. If you have the opportunity to go out to one of his book signings I would highly recommend it, I will never forget getting to speak with this legend. He also told me to watch In Cold Blood, which I still need to do.

[@phasednotfazed]

Cool profile pic, dude! The balance of color, contrast and exposure between the foreground and background is nice on the eyes. Also, very envious of your run in with the legend! I had a similar experience with an artist that I looked up to and met in person. I had no idea who David Lynch was at the time and he told me his work was inspired by him. Lol. I can confirm at this point in my life though, I have checked out his recommendations and am wiser for it. Need to look up In Cold Blood now...

[@Cadinho93]

Criterion have been on a role with these Closet Picks and at this point, it doesn't even surprise me anymore who comes along this journey. Keep it up because it makes us fans know what these wonderful people choose and love to watch!

[@ikercompeanleroux1315]

Its a great format for a film class!

[@iamgoingtodeckyoutwo5966]

On a roll.

[@nbeutler1134]

@@iamgoingtodeckyoutwo5966:|

[@ellenolenska9141]

I'm waiting for Alain Delon. They'd better hurry.

[@TheChillennial]

I grew up in the south before the internet took over. They ridiculed anything...anybody... different. Berating you constantly for your music, movies, books, clothes. I spent many a night staying up late watching TCM alone. I would go through the video store looking for any world cinema I could. I would spend hours at the library talking to the librarians about film. It is so validating 2 decades later to see so many of my favs Loving the same kind of movies I do. I had no idea back then. I was just a country boy staying up till 3 am watching Bergman and Tarkovsky, falling asleep in school the next day. Fargo is one of my all time favs.

[@mick5137]

Oh, the _American_ South.

[@samgradyfilm]

TCM is so great

[@m1lst3r]

Are you homosexual?

[@jimstarr9012]

In Cold Blood is a film school unto itself. All facets of its creation are first rate. A masterwork!

[@fiarandompenaltygeneratorm5044]

Cinematographers are STILL stealing from Conrad Hall and that film.

[@davidleedutton]

Also one of the best edited films ever made.

[@flaccidusminimus2170]

Quincy Jones's intrusive, superfluous score notwithstanding.

[@sam-harrison]

I’ve never clicked faster

[@Kev_Cos]

I've never liked a more true comment faster.

[@jimmuzzi1072]

What?

[@medardbitangimana4580]

Me too

[@kulwinderkuls8560]

😂 same here. The moment i see the name Roger Deakin.

[@anthonykearneyfilms]

Haha literally 😂😂😂😂

[@unknownrebelfilms]

Finding out Deakins is a Tarkovsky fan has made my day. And him picking out a Conrad Hall shot film makes complete sense since I consider them to be two of a kind DPs

[@Sebas_Mendez_Kinoman]

It made my day too! Deakins works are really great and know we know why he always achieve great stuff, cause he is inspired by the greatests

[@davidlean1060]

There is one shot in Prisoners (the 'race to the hospital' scene) where a car is careering through heavy traffic in heavy rain and I swear it's one of the most beautiful shots I've ever seen in a movie.

[@synical6676]

Amazing scene accompanied by a perfect score too.

[@davidlean1060]

@@synical6676 I have to admit, I'm not a fan of Villeneuve, but credit where it's due. Those few shots are jawdropping-ly gorgeous.

[@ruslankbr5243]

When I was little kid in USSR I have watched Come and See and I was shocked and could not see it for a very long time because I was so scared and did not get used to such movies watching classical Soviet heroic movies about WW2. Now I understand why Roger loves both Tarkovsky and Come and See there are a lot of common in these pieces of art.

[@L2u9]

I wanted this to last forever, I could listen to the Deakins talk films for hours...

[@dreamterry]

FANTASTIC! Lovely to see a husband and wife in such harmony and equality of knowledge.

[@m1lst3r]

"The greatest director ever" "Which is...?" "Tarkovsky who do you think". Ah, proper fan response.

[@wobblertv8083]

Roger Deakins has created some of the most beautiful imagery ever put on film .

[@humberot_]

Much love for Roger… great cinematographer

[@nicktosti7487]

It's amazing how intelligent and important James is to the Deakins duo. Wish she got more credit for her amazing work.

[@m1lst3r]

This seems to me as something a husband and wife would enjoy together. Outside movies field nobody know who she is. I cannot use to her name though.

[@williamsomerset3949]

Perhaps the best cinematographer alive.

[@KingofCydonia11]

Yep! Between him and Emmanuel Lubezki for me.

[@chriswright4677]

Darn and toots!

[@Jimmy1982Playlists]

​@@KingofCydonia11🎯💯🙏 My two favorites, also!

[@SonateSonate]

Vacano and de Bont are still with us.

[@bluerev]

"We have missed out the all time great film director... "Which is..." "Andrei Tarkovsky, what do you mean"... *laughs* I wanted to hug this man. Legend!👏

[@vittoriostoraro]

Except that he's not the greatest.

[@robertmeadows2450]

@@vittoriostoraroin your opinion he’s not.

[@hugmank6343]

​@@vittoriostoraroakira Kurosawa says that andrei is one of the greatest ever to do it, Ingmar Bergman says that he's the best, and many Great directors say the same

[@alexanderpeacock97]

He’s definitely way way up there but it’s hard to say he’s greater than Ozu, Ford, Dreyer, Bresson, Murnau etc. and Tark would be the first to agree!

[@bluerev]

@@alexanderpeacock97 I agree, there's no objective "greatest" film director - it's all in the eye of the beholder. And he didn't say the word "greatest" either - he might have meant he was a favorite of his, but not necessarily the best.

[@tompoynton]

Tarkovsky’s description of 2001 could literally describe any Christopher Nolan picture

[@naiderl]

Judging by the Nolan movies that I've watched, I tend to agree with that assessment. Some of them I think work really well (such as The Prestige) and others don't work for me at all (such as Inception), but story mechanics always seem to get precedence over characters and emotion. On the other hand, I haven't watched it myself, but I hear that many people find Interstellar quite engaging on an emotional level.

[@themtgdude486]

@@naiderlInterstellar made me cry and I rarely cry in films.

[@al201103]

@@naiderl You and I are in agreement about The Prestige and Inception. I loved Interstellar. I'd say it is worth watching on a decent system.

[@Scarlett_Azure]

Tenet was cold. All his other films are emotional. Interstellar is one of the most emotional movies ever + Tarkovsky's was just making an antithesis only. That doesn't change the fact that 2001 is one of the most profound movies ever. Light and Dark are dependent on each other

[@tompoynton]

@@Scarlett_Azure Interstellar emotional 😂

[@fernandooliveiralino]

Love these two! Their podcast is a gift.

[@meghbhavsar3968]

Great podcast! But i do admit that I find James a little bit annoying, a bit more chatty, trying to get in the "frame"... 🥴

[@fernandooliveiralino]

@@meghbhavsar3968 Oh man, they're great! I hope that if I've a girl at their age that I'm able to make her laugh the way Roger does!

[@ellie-tk4jy]

@@meghbhavsar3968 that's a serious amount of sexism. if it was him, you wouldn't say that. check your sexism/.

[@bluebellbeatnik4945]

@@meghbhavsar3968 that's because you're sexist so you need to stop doing that. trying to get in the frame? she is a co-presenter who has every right to be in the frame. it's not about roger, it's TEAM deakins.

[@nicklager1666]

Easily one of the best cinematographers out there. Thanks for all great movies mr Deakins.

[@deaconpeters2994]

One of the most outstanding cinematographers!

[@ryanmitchell6937]

Great picks! Sid and Nancy, The Seventh Seal, Come and See, Le Cercle Rouge, and Solaris are all great Criterion choices. Rouge is one of the best French films ever.

[@blackoorun5113]

When he gives his opinion on “L’avventura”, I feel him.

[@ellenolenska9141]

Yes, he acted like he really thought about the film a lot.

[@matayolandas]

Roger and James Deakins love each other as they love cinema.

[@khalilagboola9116]

It’s beautiful to see

[@jimmyl324]

Sid and Nancy is excellent. I bought Walker today by Alex Cox.

[@matthewling2663]

Walker is great!

[@thomaswilke6312]

Sir Roger is amazing. He has so many great movies to his credit: The Shawshank Redemption, Fargo, A Beautiful Mind, Skyfall, Blade Runner 2049, and 1917

[@thevoid99]

"a beautiful mind"? that movie sucked!

[@SuperiFox]

We can read wikipedia too

[@justinkingery2489]

@@SuperiFox But can you engage like an adult online? Seems like you're struggling.

[@nicknewman7848]

That Jesse James film with Brad Pitt too.. beautifully shot.

[@theexpresidents]

And it's Roger's favorite movie of his own.

[@stispade]

Deakin's peekin' at some movies

[@paulbrady5259]

Thanks for listing the folks at the end.

[@nickpetrecca8402]

His little recoil at Sid & Nancy is so good

[@radupopescu2370]

Can't go wrong with Melville and Tarkovsky, two of the great masters.

[@musicinflames]

YEEEESSSSS! It's such a joy to watch people who know what it's talking about, talking about what they love. Inspiring.

[@ellenolenska9141]

This is one of my favorite closet videos. He is so interesting. And she is very charming. He was very flattering of other cinematographers, I thought. Like Conrad Hall. Raved about him. I think that's a nice quality to have.

[@tommysmith4117]

“In cold blood in cold blood in cold blood and Tarkovsky” -Roger Deakins

[@dallasdandigitalproduction393]

This is the gold right here. A master Cinematographer discussing what his favorite films are..Sir Roger Deakins is a legend imo👏👏👏

[@southwestkinema9149]

Ahh the Deakins. In love with film and in love with each other. ❤

[@sashagaster9381]

Fast & Furious Tokyo Drift was an interesting selection.

[@jammerc64]

What strikes me with every closet video is how huge film erudites all of the guests are and what great taste they share.

[@michaelhawkins7389]

The fact that Roger Deakins is 74 and seems healthy at least for his age , hope he has a few more years left, He worked on some amazing films, will be sad to lose him :(

[@BobMori]

Find someone that looks at you the James looks at Roger. 🎬

[@alexhiguera8753]

not many dares to watch those kon ichikawa films and you sir picked 2 of the hardest dramas japan has ever filmed.

[@user-sl8fk7xm5w]

Come And See. Greatest antiwar film ever made! Brilliant pick. And another phenomenal Criterion Blu Ray.

[@zcounts]

TEAM DEAKINS! blessings!

[@evanmichael3153]

His overhead crane shot of the parking lot in Fargo still melts me... 🤟🎥🔥❤️🤟

[@lukeyznaga7627]

I learn so much about film, just by listening to the guests.

[@lethok4084]

love their podcast so much! highly recommend

[@abhy301]

"It's really interesting that Solaris was made just a little bit later than Kubrick's 2001: A Space Odyssey. Tarkovsky said he could never do '2001' but he wanted to do a film with really something that was more emotionally engaged with you. He felt Kubrick's film was rather cold and a piece of wonderful technology but had little to engage you with emotionally. And personally I think he was absolutely right. I think Solaris is the best science fiction film probably ever made, and the most profound."

[@robwattclips]

Roger and James are the best. Just wonderful people

[@user-wz9tj7up3q]

I own 7 of these on 16mm film. Before the Criterion Collection there was Janus Films, which Criterion has the rights to. And before VHS people who watched movies at home or on college campuses watched 16mm films rented from libraries. Janus Films had the rights to all of the important world cinema. Those prints are now spread out in collectors hands around the world. Long live Film! I'm a subscriber to Criterion and support them. One of their employees was stationed at the Belcourt Theatre in Nashville that I helped reopen in 1999 and she got a tour of my archive. Good folks there.

[@EasyAndyyy]

Aaaawe I just adore Mr. Deakins. Not only is he an amazing cinematographer but he seems like such a lovely and knowledgeable man in a down-to-earth-kinda-way. Mrs. Deakins seems very nice too.. 😆

[@DocSportello1970]

SOLARIS Rules! It puts you in a Mood. A story of Love and longing for The Past vs. Present, wrapped-up in a Science Fiction/Philosophy Film. And I cry every time when Dr. Snaut has Kris Kelvin read the passage from Miguel Cervantes and Sancho Panza's take on sleep and to Dream and that its a great Equalizer but "resembles Death". PS: plus you get the score by Artemyev of SIBERIADE fame. Here is the Quotation that is read on Snaut's Birthday Gathering in the Cultural Library on Solaris: “All I know is that while I’m asleep, I’m never afraid, and I have no hopes, no struggles, no glories - and bless the man who invented sleep, a cloak over all human thought, food that drives away hunger, water that banishes thirst, fire that heats up cold, chill that moderates passion, and, finally, universal currency with which all things can be bought, weight and balance that brings the shepherd and the king, the fool and the wise, to the same level. There’s only one bad thing about sleep, as far as I’ve ever heard, and that is that it resembles death, since there’s very little difference between a sleeping man and a corpse.” ― Miguel de Cervantes

[@postmodernrecycler]

I just rewatched Solaris this past weekend and was totally unprepared for/had forgotten this quotation. It's really a bomb. Such a great film.

[@DocSportello1970]

@@postmodernrecycler Yes it is. And so is "The Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie" which I see you use as your visual identifier for KZbin Comments.....nice. I love Bunuel too! Viridiana, Exterminating Angel, Simon of The Desert etc. etc. Bunuel is definitely Numero Uno director of All-time on my list! And Thomas Pynchon is my Number 1 Greatest Post-Modern Writer.

[@fiarandompenaltygeneratorm5044]

@@DocSportello1970 Hi, Doc. You have good taste in directors and writers.

[@robertwright3683]

Absolutely wonderful choices.

[@bugtrainerinc.657]

Oh my god! It's Roger Deakins😤

[@christophedevos3760]

I want to explore more now from Ichikawa, which I only know from a murder mystery movie for the moment. And thank you also for pointing out 'In cold blood', never heard of it. Thanks for sharing.

[@jimmyl324]

The Seventh Seal…masterpiece

[@davidfraser6950]

Cool couple. Didn't know about their podcast. Will give it a try.

[@Jesus.the.Christ]

Excellent. However, I don't think that Tarkovsky calling 2001 "cold" is an insult, even if he meant it that way.

[@buckbell7784]

Love this so much. Roger had a close friendship with Conrad Hall so it’s always wonderful to hear him discuss his work and the influence it had on him.

[@marcjohnson3553]

Now this is a big episode!

[@DJGamingSmash]

I remember getting SO happy when Roger deservedly won that Oscar for Blade Runner 2049. Has made so many films with the best cinematography out there.

[@ccan_max5285]

Legendary cinematographer. If you are a fan of movies you are a fan of this guy.

[@Scarlett_Azure]

Most badass thumbnail ever!

[@janehurleyy]

I’m sad James feels the need to apologize for her picks - she has excellent taste!!

[@hugmank6343]

She's a lady that's why.

[@joshuaking9605]

Thank you, BOTH!

[@nicholascrockettfilms]

"He shoots the desert landscape like you've never seen it before..." Unbelievable that I'm hearing Sir Deakins say that, when I've said the exact thing about him in regards to No Country For Old Men, and later on Sicario. This video and their podcast are so special.

[@nickpurdy]

Have been waiting for Come And See

[@unityoc]

They were obviously at the Criterion offices to do the grade for the upcoming Jesse James 4K... let the hype begin!

[@djnkosi]

This put a smile on my face 😊👍🏽

[@maciek8159]

Some great picks. I own Come and See, Le Cercle Rogue and le silence de la mer

[@0TylerDurden0]

The GOAT Deakins talking about the GOAT Tarkovsky. It make sense.

[@kelownatechkid]

Gosh, this is wonderful!!!

[@porcorosso999]

So cool he picked Tokyo Olympiad!! What a stunning looking documentary.

[@raoultesla2292]

"Come and See" is one of the best babbysitting, or under 9 movies for All children.

[@LuisOliva95]

I could hear Roger talking about Tarkovsky all day.

[@nicknewman7848]

Thin walls?

[@Sebas_Mendez_Kinoman]

me too!! would be amazing having a long talk with him

[@TiempoFilmico]

My favorite podcasters got invited to the closet.

[@klartext2225]

May I say: the best black & white film I have seen in recent years is.... 1 9 8 4 lensed by... Roger Deakins! Wait a minute, it is in color, you might say now. Of course, but only until you dial the color saturation of your TV set to zero. I took the liberty to do it, because a) I read that director Michael Radford and his DP would have loved to film this dystopian world in B/W b) it absolutely fits the subject and atmosphere. c ) Scorsese once said in an interview, he was curious and had a B/W copy of NEW YORK, NEW YORK made and he liked it very much. (and gave me the idea :-). Closet picks in my DVD archive: My "Deakins section" counts 32 films by Roger now!

[@KenwoodAnderson]

I love these two humans! And I love that they picked films I've never heard of. Me shopping list just grew much longer!!

[@brandothecatmeow]

OMG, ROGER DEAKINS. So freaking amazing. I love that he mentioned Conrad Hall, who is another favorite of mine. All incredible choices! Deakins is a legend!

[@FlowPro203]

CRITERION YOURE TOO GOOD TO US!!! WHAT A TREAT THIS IS!

[@letstalkcriterion]

Love the way he casually talks about being the cinematographer on Sid and Nancy when she mentions it.

[@tommyt1971]

Can anyone tell me if anyone in this series chose Brazil? Has a special place in my collection: 1st Crit title I ever bought and I’ve since gotten all the different editions of it.

[@stuartharris9429]

This man is an artist and a genius - his films are so incredibly beautiful - bravo Roger bravo

[@Shade571]

I swear as soon as I Saw Roger Deakins on here I knew he was gonna pick Come and See and then I saw the Thumbnail of him holding up the DVD and was immediately like yep, I fucking knew it

[@andrimufid2195]

love his work since Sicario

[@starwarsroo2448]

His back catalogue before that movie is extensive

[@vivianamora7505]

Omg such talent and wisdom #GOATS 👍🏼❤️

Finally someone I know gets to pick their movies 😅

[@Accountnamehere1968]

Saw Roger Deakins was the person doing the picks and immediately clicked on the video.

[@user-ve1lz9dm6j]

I am also a fan of their podcast. Fundamental if you love movies.

[@bizquikboy]

Roger Deakins is quite probably (fight me) the best living cinematographer and easily in my Top 3 of all time. Quite often, it seems to me, positions and roles like this have much to do with who you are working with (Thelma Schoonmaker, easily one of the best editors of all time, is an example, because she works with one of the very best, and you already know who that is). But Deakins kills it with movies outside of Coen Brother movies, such as Blade Runner 2049 and Skyfall, to name only a couple.

[@magicknight13]

Finally some Tarkovsky love!!! And I love Come and See!!

[@tommyt1971]

“He felt that Kubrick’s movie was a little cold…” A little?? It totally IS and I’m a huge fan of it!

[@PWORLD3121]

“Come and See, one of our favourites..” hahaha

[@gnalkhere]

Lil Deaky ❤

[@justinkingery2489]

L-I-L Deaks

[@Mooseman327]

All excellent films. Top-notch.

[@contif]

Best. One. Yet…LEGENDS.

[@tommyt1971]

The most striking single moment I’ll always remember about Roger’s work is the opening title sequence of my favorite Coen Bros movie, Miller’s Crossing. The combo of the camera pointed straight up at the trees in the forest and Elmer Bernstein’s incredible score are just haunting. Then the hat falls in the clearing and it’s whisked away by the wind. I’ve always wondered how many takes it took to get that hat to land just right. Plus, the neo-noir look he gave the film is incredible too. First time I watched the movie, I was struck by it’s cinematographic style, hadn’t seen anything like it.

[@p4gw4n4]

Have you looked much in to the details or production of the film "Miller's Crossing"? Perhaps, if you do, you will find some interesting details about the crew and the film's cinematography.

[@burlcummings5753]

@@p4gw4n4 I think perhaps you're being too subtle.

[@PeaLoop]

Love this! 😍🎥

[@stephencampbell2115]

Roger Deakins is a genius he is up there with Conrad Hall,Raoul Coulthard, Gordon Willis,,Vilmos Zgismond.LazloKovacs, and Sven Nynkwist

[@StateFromFarmJake]

PLEEEAAASSE!!! Work with The Deak at bringing the Venice Cut of Assassination Of Jesse James to the collection. This is my biggest wish in home media. Especially since you guys are doing 4K now. Warner Bros is never gonna give Jesse James its due and proper. Its some of Roger Deakins most hauntingly beautiful cinematography.

[@kurtdewittphoto]

If Mr. Deakens talks highly of a film, it must be great. Curious to check out all these picks.

[@nationalcoasternews5798]

Well this serves as my reminder to finally get around to Solaris and In Cold Blood