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Introducing Cinematographer Magdalena Bojdo
Table of Contents
Exploring the Work of Cinematographer Magdalena Bodjo.
Striking images. A framing or placement of elements to create emotion. Conveying the real story. That’s what we wanted to get to the bottom of with Magdalena Bojdo. One glance at the above image and you already feel a story. Maybe something you recognize. Is it isolation or just a scenic walk?
It was these exact images which first caught our eye.
Introduction
Magdalena Bojdo, a cinematographer whose work transcends mere visuals to capture the soul of her subjects, recently shared insights into her artistic journey.
From the evocative landscapes of “The School, a World” (2023) to the intimate narratives of her short films, Bojdo’s passion for storytelling and her dedication to the craft are certainly worth exploring.
Early Influences: A Spark Ignited by Curiosity
Bojdo’s fascination with film was nurtured from a young age, fueled by family movie nights and a keen interest in the technical aspects of filmmaking. “It must have originated quite early on – I used to always watch films together with my family,” she recalled. Her father’s enthusiasm for Polish cinema, particularly the work of cinematographers, sparked her curiosity. “My dad and I would look for Polish names in the camera department credits,” she said. A tangible symbol of this early fascination was her father’s Zenit film camera, which she described as a “magical, almost sacred object.”
Her trajectory solidified during her time as a volunteer at the Camerimage festival, a pivotal experience that exposed her to the art of cinematography. “I understood little of the technical details, but knew immediately, that I wanted to be one of those people,” she said. A meeting with documentary legend Albert Maysles left a lasting impression. “A meeting that inspired me the most in that regard was the one with Albert Maysles, a legendary documentary cameraman, who came across as the most wondrous, yet humble and gentle, genuinely caring person.”
“The School, a World”: A Tapestry of Sound and Visuals
“The School, a World” allowed Bojdo to delve into the heart of a community undergoing profound change. Set in Chlebiotki, Poland, the documentary explores the impact of a school closure on the village and its inhabitants. Bojdo emphasized the crucial role of sound in the project. “The core of the project, since the first moments we spoke about it, was sound,” she explained. “Iga was keen on weaving the tales of Chlebiotki with beautiful voices of the people we met, enriching the interviews with vast soundscapes.”
She described the collaborative process, highlighting the contributions of sound recordist Ania Rok and sound designer Jacek Szczepanek. “On set, I had to step back sometimes, as we all knew that sound was our priority. My images had to find a way to relate to it,” she said.
The project also presented the challenge of balancing photography and videography. “It was very challenging and exhausting still to sustain two different mindsets – one for photography, one for film – at the same time,” she said. After initial attempts to combine both, they decided to use only one camera at a time, allowing her to focus more deeply. “This allowed me to focus deeper on the subjects, instead of managing two different cameras, their batteries, memory cards, etc., while constantly switching the way I move around the set.”
Bojdo was captivated by the sheer beauty of Chlebiotki. “You can just go there, literally point your camera anywhere, at any time, and it will look good – and something interesting will happen,” she said. However, she also recognized the importance of capturing the nuances of the community without resorting to simplification. “It is extremely difficult to avoid simplification, which leads to putting people’s whole lives into boxes,” she said. “We tried our best and I think, succeeded, to sustain and show many shades of Chlebiotki’s reality: the daily struggles, the ugliness and the beauty.”
“Episode”: The Art of Constraint and Spontaneity
“Episode,” a short film shot on Kodak 5219, presented Bojdo with the challenge of working within strict limitations. “We only had four rolls of film stock, which amounts to slightly over eight minutes runtime – for a five-minute short film,” she said. “Most of the scenes were shot in one take.”
She recounted a memorable experience shooting a scene in a lake. “It was shot on Kodak 5219 and involved my and my camera assistant Nina’s crazy run into a lake, starring as the sea,” she recalled. The film was shot on an Arri BLII, a camera that was “wonderfully comfortable to operate handheld, but powered by a huge battery, which of course had to be connected to the camera at all times – so we would always move around in a sort of tandem.”
She also spoke about the unexpected challenges of weather. “I think that was the first time I’d ever really felt the responsibility of being a cinematographer, and in this case – also a director,” she said, recalling a shoot interrupted by a storm.
Navigating Documentary and Narrative: A Constant Evolution
Bojdo expressed a deep appreciation for both documentary and narrative filmmaking, emphasizing the value of cross-pollination between the two genres. “I like to do both – I think it is very valuable to have the experience of documentary in narrative, and the other way round,” she said.
She elaborated on the distinct demands of each genre. “In documentary, the camera is just a guest and observes what there is. In fiction, a whole world is created, real and palpable only for the camera,” she said.
Upcoming Projects: A Diverse Slate
Bojdo is currently involved in a variety of projects, reflecting her diverse interests and commitment to storytelling. She is engaged in multiple documentary productions, which, due to their long-term nature, are always in progress. Specifically, she is beginning work on two new documentaries.
Upcoming releases include “Kuba,” a biopic that premiered on March 18th. She also has “Dance with me, dad,” a short film, that is expected to enter the festival circuit later this year. A black-and-white music video is also slated for release.
Other projects in various stages of production include:
- A short/mid-length film about a Buddhist rebuilding a DIY temple in a city, currently in the editing phase after three years of filming.
- Two films in development: one with an experimental/performative approach, exploring mother-daughter relationships through stories connected to clothing, and another about a family living with mental illness.
- A short fiction film addressing bodily memory and childhood trauma, nearing release.
- She is also in the early stages of organizing initial shootings for a film on womanhood, which she will direct and self-shoot.
Advice for Aspiring Filmmakers: Embrace Your Voice
Bojdo encouraged aspiring filmmakers to embrace their unique voices and persevere in their creative pursuits. “Be yourselves, fully,” she said. “Every person and their story matters. Every voice has a different tone.”
A Dream Collaboration: Radiohead
When asked about a dream collaboration, Bojdo simply stated, “Radiohead.”
Check out Magdalena’s IMDB for more information on her published projects.
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