Haskell Wexler

Haskell Wexler (December 6, 1922 – December 27, 2015) was an American cinematographer, director, and documentary filmmaker whose visionary approach to visual storytelling profoundly influenced cinema throughout the second half of the twentieth century. Born in Chicago, Wexler began his career in documentary filmmaking before transitioning to fiction, where he became one of the most sought-after cinematographers in Hollywood. His technical mastery and artistic sensibility earned him three Academy Awards for Best Cinematography for 'Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?' (1966), 'Bound for Glory' (1976), and 'Hal Ashby's Coming Home' (1978). Known for pioneering handheld camera techniques and pushing the boundaries of black-and-white cinematography, Wexler's visual language became defining for the New Hollywood era. Beyond his fiction work, he remained passionately committed to documentary filmmaking, creating powerful socially conscious films that addressed issues of labor, activism, and human rights. His documentary 'Medium Cool' (1969), which he also directed, remains a landmark work blending narrative and documentary techniques to capture the turbulent 1960s. Wexler's influence extends beyond his films to his mentorship of younger cinematographers and his advocacy for artistic integrity in an increasingly commercialized industry.