When Focus Features announced the officialstart of productiononPaul Thomas Anderson’s new movie this past February, there was a conspicuous absence: an official director of photography. The then-untitled film, currently being referred to asPhantom Thread, takes place in the 1950s fashion world in London and starsDaniel Day-Lewisas a dressmaker, but in terms of plot that’s pretty much all we got. Anderson is certainly one of the most distinct filmmakers working today, and his films have always been notable for striking cinematography.Robert Elswitis his go-to DP having shotBoogie Nights,Magnolia,Punch-Drunk Love, andThere Will Be Blood, winning the Oscar for the latter film, but at present Elswit is otherwise engaged shootingNightcrawlerfilmmakerDan Gilroy’s second filmRoman Israel, Esq.
Speculation ran rampant that perhaps Anderson was serving as his own cinematographer on his new movie, and indeedIndiewirenow reports that that is indeed the case. TheInherent Vicefilmmaker has apparently been wanting to shoot one of his own movies for a while now, and has experience working as his own DP on various music videos that he directed. Indiewire notes that in addition to serving as DP, Anderson also operated the camera himself for some shots as he has done on past films. The report also states that when the film hits theaters later this year, it willnotbe doing so under the title ofPhantom Thread—that appears to be a placeholder of sorts for now.
Anderson is far from the first director to pull double duty as a cinematographer.Steven Soderberghhas been shooting his own films for years, and folks likeQuentin TarantinoandDavid Lynchhave dabbled here and there. But Anderson is unique in that he doesn’t make many movies, so this is a special case indeed.
This is incredibly exciting news. Elswit is a terrific cinematographer, but one need only compare his work on PTA films likeInherent ViceandThere Will Be Bloodto other films Elswit shot, likeMission: Impossible – Ghost ProtocolorThe Town, to realize that PTA has averystrong handle on the visual look of his own films.
Basically this is yet another reason to be excited for new PTA, and I can’t wait to see this film when it hits theaters on December 25th.
