SOC Creative Spotlight on
BARDO, False Chronicle of a Handful of Truths
A Conversation with Ari Robbins, SOC
Hosted by David Daut
Following his award-winning, yet polarizing work on films like Birdman and The Revenant, Alejandro G. Iñárritu’s latest film is something of a self-interrogation, telling the story of an acclaimed Mexican filmmaker who is wrestling with doubts over the efficacy of his art as well as his connection with his Mexican heritage.
The visual landscape of this film blends together the mundane with the fantastical and the grotesque into what camera operator Ari Robbins, SOC, describes as being like shooting a fever dream. In our conversation with Robbins, we discussed what went into shooting these intricate sequences, often in long, unbroken takes as well as what it was like filming parts of the movie on 65mm film and working in and around Mexico City.
BARDO, False Chronicle of a Handful of Truths follows journalist and documentarian Silverio Gama as he reflects on his life, his work, and his own cultural identity through a series of surrealistic moments that blur the lines between what is real and what is imagined. Directed by Alejandro G. Iñárritu from a screenplay by Iñárritu and Nicolás Giacobone, the film stars Daniel Giménez Cacho and Griselda Siciliani.
SOC Creative Spotlight on BARDO, False Chronicle of a Handful of Truths
A Conversation with Ari Robbins, SOC
Hosted by David Daut
BEHIND THE SCENES OF BARDO
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Above Photo: Daniel Giménez Cacho as Silverio
Photos by SeoJu Park/Netflix
BARDO
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Ari Robbins, SOC
Ari Robbins, SOC, was first introduced to Steadicam at the age of 18 after returning home from high school. Knowing his future lay within the cinematic industry, he was immediately entranced by the notion of operator and equipment working together so intimately. It was a culmination of all things he was looking for: a career, a hobby, a profession, but most importantly, a passion. Ari moved to Los Angeles and immediately began working in the lighting departments. In the fall of 2004 he signed up for a Steadicam Operators Association workshop. After graduating, he searched and found his ideal rig and, on his 21st birthday, purchased his Steadicam. That same day, he rolled his first shot on set as a Steadicam operator and owner. Ari operates with the same enthusiasm he had the first moment he strapped on his vest, with passion first and the camera second.
David Daut
A writer and critic for more than a decade, David Daut specializes in analysis of genre cinema and immersive media. In addition to his work for Camera Operator and other publications, David is also the co-creator of Hollow Medium, a “recovered audio” ghost story podcast. David studied at the USC School of Cinematic Arts and works as a freelance writer based out of Orange County, California.
