Cinematographer Mihai Mălaimare Jr. on shooting the stylized Western film, The Harder They Fall

The Cinematography Podcast Episode 148: Cinematographer Mihai Mălaimare Jr. Cinematographer Miahi Mălaimare Jr. understands the power of images to communicate a feeling immediately and in a more straightforward manner than with spoken language. For The Harder They Fall, Mihai discovered that as both a director and a singer-songwriter, Jeymes Samuel communicates through music, and the two enjoyed working together to find the visual language of the film. The Harder They Fall is a mashup of blaxploitation, spaghetti Western and musical in one sprawling and stylish package. Samuel had previously made a shorter Western called They Die By Dawn, but Mihai had never shot a Western before. They were prepping to shoot in March of 2020 in New Mexico, then everything was halted due to the pandemic. Finally, in July of 2020 Jeymes called up Mihai to see if he could be ready to shoot within a few weeks. They headed out to New Mexico and shot the film while under strict COVID protocols. Both Mihai and Samuel took visual ideas for The Harder They Fall from The Wild Bunch and several Sergio Leone movies. Finding the rhythm within a scene was a huge part of the film. Samuel had a few songs written into the script and would often play music on set. The script was very challenging with several complicated shots, a large cast, dealing with horses, guns, set pieces and period costumes, but Jeymes Samuel and Mihai were able to achieve Samuel's vision with prep, discussions every night, and many, many rehearsals. You can watch The Harder They Fall on Netflix. Mihai recently wrapped the currently untitled HBO drama series about the Lakers in the 1980's. Find Mihai Mălaimare Jr. Instagram: @malaimarejr_photography @malaimarejr_cinematography Close Focus:  By a narrow margin, IATSE ratified the contract with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers. Illya's short end: The Sony Venice 2 has been released and it has an 8K full-frame image sensor. Contact Hot Rod Cameras to pre-order one. Ben's short end: Reincubate Camo Studio- allows you to use the camera on your phone as a webcam for video apps including Zoom and Google Chrome. WIN an autographed copy of Directing Great Television by our previous guest, director Dan Attias. Follow us on Instagram (if you don't already!) @thecinepod and comment on our post for this episode! Sponsored by Hot Rod Cameras Sponsored by Assemble: Sign up for Assemble's production management software and get one month FREE! Use code “cinepod” to take advantage of this offer. Be sure to watch our YouTube video of Nate Watkin showing how Assemble works! LIKE AND FOLLOW US, send fan mail or suggestions! Facebook:@cinepod Instagram: @thecinepod Twitter: @ShortEndz YouTube Podcast Credits: Editor in Chief:  Illya Friedman Email: [email protected] Instagram: @illyafriedman @hotrodcameras Ben Rock