Andrzej Sekula

Biography

Andrzej Sekuła was a Polish cinematographer and film director best known for his influential work in American independent cinema. He was born on January 22, 1954, in Wrocław, Poland, and developed an early interest in photography and visual storytelling. In the late 1970s and early 1980s, Sekuła emigrated to the United States, where he studied cinematography and began working in film and television.

Sekuła built his reputation through a distinctive visual style that favored bold lighting, expressive camera movement, and a gritty, contemporary realism. His breakthrough came in the early 1990s through his collaboration with director Quentin Tarantino. Sekuła served as director of photography on Reservoir Dogs (1992) and Pulp Fiction (1994), films that became landmarks of modern independent cinema. His work on these projects helped define their sharp visual identities and played a key role in their lasting cultural impact.

Beyond his work with Tarantino, Sekuła shot a wide range of films across different genres. Notable credits include American Psycho (2000), where his controlled, polished visuals underscored the film’s themes of identity and obsession, as well as projects such as Four Rooms (1995). His cinematography often balanced stylization with narrative clarity, enhancing character psychology and mood.

In addition to his work behind the camera, Sekuła also directed several films, including Fist of the North Star (1995) and Cube²: Hypercube (2002), demonstrating his interest in genre filmmaking and visual experimentation.