Slawomir Idziak

Biography

Sławomir Idziak (born 25 January 1945) is a Polish cinematographer and director who has worked on over forty Polish and foreign films. 

He is especially known for his collaboration with director Krzysztof Kieślowski as well as Ridley Scott and David Yates.

In 2019, the American Society of Cinematographers included Three Colours: Blue shot by Idziak on the list of the best-photographed films of the 20th century.

Idziak was born on 25 January 1945 in Katowice, Poland. In 1969, he graduated from the National Film School in Łódź. He has made fourteen films with Krzysztof Zanussi, including Kontrakt (The Contract), The Constant Factor, and A Year of the Quiet Sun.

 He worked on all the early films of Krzysztof Kieślowski, including his television, feature film, and foreign debuts, additionally, the two collaborated on A Short Film About Killing, The Double Life of Véronique and Three Colors: Blue.

He has made films with such directors as Ridley Scott, John Sayles, Michael Winterbottom, and John Duigan, and has also written and directed two films himself. He worked on Winterbottom's film I Want You, where he won an Honourable Mention at the 48th Berlin International Film Festival.

Sławomir Idziak teaches at film schools in Berlin, London, and Copenhagen, and also conducts seminars in cinematography in other countries. He is currently working on a Virtual Film Studio Web site called Film Spring Open which gives users an opportunity to present work to global audiences and to make films online.

 Participants can share ideas, exchange equipment or write scripts together. The aim is to create an international community of filmmakers who will support each other, make films together, and care about the advertising and distribution of their films.

In 2012, he was awarded the Order of Polonia Restituta for his “outstanding achievements for the Polish and world culture” and in 2014, he became the recipient of the Gold Medal for Merit to Culture – Gloria Artis.

Sławomir was married to actress Maria Gładkowska.