Rodrigo Prieto


Rodrigo Prieto Stambaugh is a Mexican cinematographer and film director.
He has collaborated with Martin Scorsese and Alejandro González Iñárritu, among other prominent directors. He is a member of both the Mexican Society of Cinematographers and the American Society of Cinematographers. Throughout his career, Prieto has received many awards and nominations, including four Academy Award nominations for Best Cinematography in Ang Lee's Brokeback Mountain and Martin Scorsese's Silence, The Irishman, and Killers of the [Flower Moon (film)|Killers of the Flower Moon].

Early life and education

Rodrigo Prieto was born in Mexico City, Mexico. His grandfather, Jorge Prieto Laurens, was the mayor of Mexico City and leader of the Chamber of Deputies of Mexico, but was later persecuted by the country's ruler because of political differences. Prieto's grandfather escaped with his family to Texas and then to Los Angeles, where Prieto's father would spend most of his childhood. Prieto's father studied aeronautical engineering at New York University, where he met and married Prieto's mother, an artist. Rodrigo Prieto graduated from Centro de Capacitación Cinematográfica in Mexico City.

Career

Prieto is noted for his unconventional use of the camera often combined with strong moody lighting. In 25th Hour, Prieto utilized overexposure and other techniques to create original dream-like images to signify that the events shown on screen are memories or visions. Similarly innovative photography could be spotted in Frida, featuring strong colors and sharp imagery blended with atmospheric yellows and browns, as well as his experimental use of infrared during a battle scene in Alexander. Prieto also is interested in evoking naturalism, most evident in The Homesman and Brokeback Mountain. Prieto not only shot Brokeback Mountain, for which he was nominated for an Academy Award for [Best Cinematography], but appeared in a cameo role within the film as a Mexican gigolo whom Jake Gyllenhaal's character, Jack Twist, meets.
Prieto has formed an artistic collaboration with Martin Scorsese on his films The Wolf of Wall Street, Silence, The Irishman, and Killers of the Flower Moon. He garnered Academy Award nominations for Best Cinematography for the latter three. He served as cinematographer for the music videos for the three Taylor Swift 2020 singles, "The Man", which references one of his previous films The Wolf of Wall Street, "Cardigan" and "Willow".
Prieto is the recipient of the 2021 Vilcek Prize in Filmmaking, awarded by the Vilcek Foundation.
In October 2023, Prieto served as a juror at the Morelia International Film Festival in Michoacán, Mexico.

Personal life

Prieto resides in Los Angeles, California with his wife Monica and they have two daughters.

Filmography

Television

Documentary series
YearTitleDirectorNotes
2003–2004America UndercoverOliver StoneSegments Persona Non Grata and Looking for Fidel
2017The Putin InterviewsOliver StoneMiniseries

TV series
YearTitleDirectorNotes
2015What Lives InsideRobert Stromberg1 episode
2016VinylMartin ScorseseEpisode "Pilot"

Awards and nominations

Academy Awards
YearTitleCategoryResult
2006Brokeback MountainBest CinematographyNomitated
2017SilenceBest CinematographyNomitated
2020The IrishmanBest CinematographyNomitated
2024Killers of the Flower MoonBest CinematographyNomitated

BAFTA Awards
YearTitleCategoryResult
2006Brokeback MountainBest CinematographyNomitated
2007BabelBest CinematographyNomitated
2020The IrishmanBest CinematographyNomitated
2024Killers of the Flower MoonBest CinematographyNomitated

American Society of Cinematographers Awards
YearTitleCategoryResult
2003FridaOutstanding Achievement in Cinematography in Theatrical ReleasesNomitated
2006Brokeback MountainOutstanding Achievement in Cinematography in Theatrical ReleasesNomitated
2017SilenceOutstanding Achievement in Cinematography in Theatrical ReleasesNomitated
2020The IrishmanOutstanding Achievement in Cinematography in Theatrical ReleasesNomitated
2024Killers of the Flower MoonOutstanding Achievement in Cinematography in Theatrical ReleasesNomitated
2025FortnightOutstanding Achievement in Cinematography in Music VideoNomitated
2026The Fate of OpheliaOutstanding Achievement in Cinematography in Music Video

Camerimage
YearTitleCategoryResult
2000Amores PerrosGolden FrogWon
2004AlexanderGolden FrogNomitated
2004AlexanderSilver FrogWon
2006BabelMain Competition Golden FrogNomitated
2007Lust, CautionMain Competition Golden FrogNomitated
2012ArgoMain Competition Golden FrogNomitated
2012Lana Del Rey: Blue JeansBest Cinematography in a Music VideoNomitated
2016VinylJury Award Best PilotNomitated
2020The IrishmanMain Competition Golden FrogNomitated
2024FortnightBest Cinematography in a Music VideoWon

'''Other awards'''