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Lens/Camera Information
Lens series: Cooke Panchro/i Classic S35
Focal lengths: 18, 25, 32, 40, 50, 75, 100
Camera: RED WEAPON HELIUM 8K S35
Format: Digital
Production information
Director of Photography: Klaus Kneist
DOP instagram: klauskneist
DOP website: klauskneist.com
Directors: Toby & Kevin Schmutzler, Val Chelluget, Apuu Mourine
Colourist: Marina Starke
Post Production Company: FilmCrew Media
Producers: Lydia Wrensch, Caroline Heim, Brizan Were
Rental company: Billy’s Lens Rent
Distributer: Atlas International
For NAWI, our visual strategy centered on capturing the emotional depth and resilience of our protagonist within the vast landscapes of Turkana. We selected the Cooke Panchro/i Classic lenses for their distinctive cinematic character. Their organic bokeh and gentle edge fall-off provided a timeless, emotionally resonant image that aligned with the film’s narrative tone.
The 32mm lens emerged as our preferred choice, particularly for portraiture. It offered an intimate proximity to Nawi, allowing us to delve into her emotional world, while simultaneously preserving the expansive environment that shapes her journey. This balance was crucial in portraying her internal struggles against the backdrop of her external reality.
Working with non-professional actors, we prioritized spontaneity and authenticity. The Panchros’ close-focus capability enabled us to capture nuanced performances without frequent lens changes, facilitating a fluid and responsive shooting process. Their lightweight design and uniform build across the set were instrumental in maintaining an efficient workflow during our 50-day shoot in the challenging desert conditions.
Our primary camera system was RED, chosen for its reliability and its adeptness at rendering rich, natural skin tones. This was particularly important in authentically representing the diverse complexions of our cast. The RED’s dynamic range and flexibility in post-production ensured that we could faithfully translate the visual nuances of our story.
As a secondary and backup camera, we employed the Blackmagic Pocket 6K Pro. Its compact size, internal ND filters, and robust performance made it an excellent complement to the RED, especially in the demanding desert environment. The Blackmagic’s image quality closely matched that of the RED, allowing for seamless integration between the two in the final edit.
