If you had any doubts Top Gun: Maverick was racing into the awards season as a serious contender, take today’s The American Society of Cinematographers 37th annual ASC Awards as a clear sign.
The ASC Award nominations were announced today, and it took many by surprise. The nominees include Roger Deakins for Empire of Light, Greig Fraser for The Batman, Darius Khondji for Bardo, Claudio Miranda for Top Gun: Maverick, and Mandy Walker for Elvis.
While picks like Top Gun: Maverick was expected, many were taken back by including Batman and Bardo, from Greig Fraser and Darius Khondji, respectively. Fraser won the ASC’s top prize last year for Dune, but The Batman was not a contender for many online. Add in the inclusion of the critically cold reception to Bardo, and you have two picks many weren’t expecting to see from the American Society of Cinematographers.
One of the ones that puzzled people was Empire of Light, a safe choice as Roger Deakins is often praised for his work behind the camera. Though, some feel this film took the spot of projects like Avatar: The Way of Water (Russell Carpenter), Everything Everywhere All at Once (Larkin Seiple), The Fabelmans (Janusz Kamiński), and Tár (Florian Hoffmeister). But Deakins has appeared at many award shows this year, ensuring he lands his sixteenth Academy Awards nomination.
Another impressive showing is Elvis, with Mandy Walker’s work helping cement this as another awards season favorite this year. Many awards pundits feel this puts Elvis in the top 5 for Best Picture at the Oscars. Could we see the Baz Luhrmann-helmed biopic make its way to the Best Picture race? Only time will tell, but the 37th ASC Awards helped define this season.
For the ones who love stats, the ASC winner has won the Academy Award nearly half the time, seeing 17 dual winners in its 36 years. It’s safe to say whoever wins here is likely on their way to Best Cinematography.
Originally published January 10, 2023. Updated January 9, 2023.
