For his new film, “Roma,” Oscar-winning director Alfonso Cuarón served as director, writer, producer and cinematographer.
But that last part was not planned.
His usual cinematographer Emmanuel “Chivo” Lubezki — who’s shot Cuarón films including “Gravity” and “Children of Men” — had to drop out weeks before shooting began.
A source said that Cuarón revealed at a recent Q&A with director Kathryn Bigelow that “pre-production went on too long” and Lubezki had to move on, but encouraged Cuarón to shoot it himself.
Back in film school when the two were roommates, Cuarón originally imagined he’d shoot his own films before the partnership with Lubezki took off.
But a pal told us of “Roma,” “Chivo has been by Alfonso’s side for so many of his films that he knew Alfonso could shoot his own film.”