Peter Sorel
Peter Sorel (born Peter Szentmiklosi, July 7, 1939 in Budapest, Hungary) is an American cinematic still photographer. In his 50 plus year career, he has amassed over 150 credits, making him the most prolific still photographer in the industry. His most recognized photographs are the iconic images he took on the set of the 1969 film, Easy Ride, which have endured to become a cultural touchstone. He went on to work on many notable films including One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, Dune, Die Hard, Lolita, Frida, Life of Pie and many more.[1] He has photographed countless A-list actors, including Madonna, Nicole Kidman, Selma Hayek, Marlon Brando, Jack Nicholson, and others. A member of the International Cinematographers Guild, Local 600, he is also a founding member of Society of Motion Picture Still Photographers.[2]
Biography
Early Life & Refugee Camp
Born just before the start of WWII, Sorel spent his early life in bomb shelters which delayed his formal schooling and social life. At the age of 13, his father gave him a Voigtländer camera and he took to it "instantaneously". He never formally studied photography and is completely self-taught saying, "I learned from other people's work and by doing what I loved...I learned from my mistakes." His early photographic interest was in architecture and still lives.[3]
Not even a year after receiving his camera, Sorel was harassed and threatened by Hungarian security forces for taking a photograph of the Hungarian Parliament Building. His film was confiscated and due to this experience, he stopped taking pictures until he was able to flee the country during the Hungarian Revolution of 1956. Sorel took shelter in a refugee camp in Austria where he spent the next 3 years. While there, he saved his money and bought a Zorki camera, which is a Russian copy of a Leica. In the refugee camp, he spent his time learning German, reading, and taking photographs.[3]
Life in Los Angeles & Early Career
In 1959, at 21 years old, he made his way to the USA, via NYC, and settled in Los Angeles, not speaking a word of English. Sorel became a citizen in 1964 when he also changed his name, inspired by a character in The Red and The Black. His first jobs in LA included being a printer in a photo lab and family photographer. There, Sorel became close friends with László Kovács and Vilmos Zsigmond, two Hungarians refugees who both became highly acclaimed Hollywood cinematographers. Vilmos Zsigmond invited Sorel to photograph on the set of his latest low-budget project. Sorel did not have the chance to go until November 22, 1963. That day, it came on the radio that JFK had been shot and killed, and Sorel was sent home from work along with workers across the country. He took the opportunity to visit his friend on set, which also soon closed.[3]
This marked the beginning of his regularly working on weekend film shoots and small films for a few weeks at a time, "Small films with good actors...." he has said, "hippie movies and motorcycle movies."[3] During this time, Sorel garnered a good reputation among actors and formed a friendship with a young Jack Nicholson.[3]
Career Highlights
Easy Rider
Sorel was recommended to Peter Fonda by László Kovács for the role of still photographer on Easy Rider. The film kicked off the New Hollywood era of film-making during the early 1970s. There were no practical sets and the movie was shot almost entirely on the road. At times, Sorel photographed while laying on top of a station wagon leading the bikes, along with László Kovács and a grip. Not a typical maneuver for the time, it could never be performed on set today.[4] 50 years later Sorel's images from Easy Rider are ubiquitous and maintain their cultural capital appearing on posters and t-shirts of yet another generation. In a standard agreement, Sorel does not benefit financially from the proliferation of the image(s) and the rights remain with the studio.
Frida
Sorel calls Frida, "the last really good, creative movie," he worked on. He credits Selma Hayak's connections in Mexico City with the gorgeous costuming and set design.[3] Likewise, he admired the work of young cinematographer Rodrigo Prieto. Images from this movie are widely recognizable and pay tribute to Frida Kahlo's original paintings and aesthetic. This is best seen in Sorel's take on the "Two Frida's" painting that was used as the poster image for the film.
Life of Pie
In 2011, Sorel traveled to India and Taiwan to shoot his last blockbuster film, Life of Pie, at the behest of Ang Lee, who he had worked with before on HULK. The experience of shooting on the set of Life of Pie left him resolute to retire. Sound stages with 360 green screens proved tiresome to photograph, a technical exercise, with little to no room for creative expression, according to him.[3]
Return to Hungary
In 1996, Sorel was invited by the Hungarian government, along with other accomplished expatriates, to be honored at the Hungarian Parliament Building, for the 40th Anniversary of the Hungarian Revolution. the very same building he had been harassed for taking photographs of 40 years earlier. László Kovács and Vilmos Zsigmond also attended.[3]
Retirement & Later Life
In 2011, Sorel "retired" to Chicago but continued to work on local films for the next 5 years. Sorel admires Chicago for its architecture and vibrant Arts scene and regularly walks from his home to the Art Institute of Chicago. In retirement, Sore has returned to his initial interests in photography which includes landscapes, architecture and still lives.[3]
Books and Exhibitions
In 1999, Camerimage honored him with an exhibition and accompanying limited editions book Filmscapes, "Exhibition of the Hollywood most iconic photographer presented stills taken on the set of the films: Seven, Die Hard, One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest and Lolita."[5]
In 2014, Sorel released a book of landscapes, Lake-Sky An homage to Mark Rothko. He has had multiple shows of his "Hollywood" work at Hilton|Asmus Contemporary since his move to Chicago.[6] His work has been exhibited all over the world.[1]
Art Collection
Sorel has a private collection of art and photography which includes, Irving Penn, Lucien Clergue, Ruth Burnhard, Willy Rosnisand and more.[3]
Archives
Sorel donated his archives to the Academy of Motion Pictures archives in Los Angeles and are available for viewing by the public.[7]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Peter Sorel Hollywood to Chicago". Hilton-Asmus Contemporary. Retrieved June 2, 2021. Unknown parameter
|url-status=ignored (help) - ↑ "American Society of Cinematographers - history '98". American Society of Cinematographers. Retrieved June 2, 2021. Unknown parameter
|url-status=ignored (help) - ↑ 3.00 3.01 3.02 3.03 3.04 3.05 3.06 3.07 3.08 3.09 "Peter Sorel and Missy Weimer". StoryCorps Archive. Retrieved 2021-01-27.
- ↑ TheHollywoodTimes.today. "Jimmy Steinfeldt Interviews Legendary Photographer Peter Sorel - The Hollywood Times". Retrieved 2021-06-07.
- ↑ "Exhibitions CAMERIMAGE 1999 – EnergaCAMERIMAGE 2021". camerimage.pl. Retrieved 2021-06-17.
- ↑ "Peter Sorel Contact". Peter Sorel Photography. Retrieved February 4, 2021. Unknown parameter
|url-status=ignored (help) - ↑ "Peter Sorel photographs". oac.cdlib.org. Retrieved 2021-06-17.
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