Darius Khondji, the acclaimed cinematographer behind films like "Seven," "Delicatessen," and "Eddington," has built a career on his versatility and ability to adapt to any director's vision. In a recent interview, Khondji, 69, spoke about his approach to cinematography, his inspirations, and his latest collaboration with director Ari Aster.

Khondji's eclectic resume boasts an impressive array of collaborations with some of the most renowned directors in the industry. From David Fincher's "Seven" to Jean-Pierre Jeunet and Marc Caro's "Delicatessen" and "The City of Lost Children," Khondji has consistently pushed the boundaries of cinematic storytelling.

Alejandro González Iñárritu, with whom Khondji worked on "Bardo, False Chronicle of a Handful of Truths," praises the cinematographer's ability to understand the human soul and master the tools to express it. "All the technical choices – framing decisions, uses of color and lighting techniques – he is able to apply them, but always subordinated to the director's vision and, most importantly, to the needs of the film itself," Iñárritu says.

Khondji's approach to cinematography is deeply rooted in his emotional connection to the story and the director's vision. He believes in creating a "family" around the director to ensure their success, which involves building a rapport with the entire crew. This approach has led to some of his most fruitful collaborations, including his work with Aster on "Eddington."

Aster, who praises Khondji's "emotional wavelengths," says that the cinematographer's ability to understand the director's vision is unparalleled. "Darius and I have a common language," Aster says. "We discovered quite early on working together that we have a very similar taste for dark films, not dark in lighting but in storytelling."

Khondji's latest film, "Eddington," is a paranoid pandemic saga that marks a new chapter in his collaboration with Aster. The film, which stars Joaquin Phoenix and Pedro Pascal, is a modern western that explores the darker aspects of human nature.

Despite his impressive body of work, Khondji remains humble and open to new experiences. He prefers to be reinvigorated by younger artists challenging the rules, and his enthusiasm for cinema is still palpable. As he looks to the future, Khondji hopes to shoot a proper supernatural horror film and to see a company develop a modern film-stock camera.

In the meantime, Khondji's legacy continues to inspire a new generation of filmmakers. His work is a testament to the power of cinematography to transport audiences to new worlds and to evoke emotions that linger long after the credits roll.

Read more about Khondji's work and his latest film, "Eddington," in our review.

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