Cinematographer AndréSzankowski honors Portuguese music legend in ‘Variações’

Andre Szankowski - Variacoes

Cinematography, for André Szankowski, is not just a career, but a calling. The artform combines his two childhood passions for photography and documentary camera operation and allows him to express himself on a daily basis. Even in the slower moments, working diligently to perfectly line up that brief shot brings an adrenaline rush that only comes from doing what you love, and this devotion to his craft is evident in every project he takes on.

“I love that my profession is my passion, a childhood dream. I get to visit places, experience different cultures and bring my point of view to each project. Being a cinematographer has its own challenges when traveling and being confronted with cultural differences and working around it and learning how other people do things in other places is very enriching,” he says. “On top of that, working with the director, art director, producer, and the rest of the crew to get the best film possible, on time, on budget is another challenge that I love.”

Szankowski is widely regarded as one of Portugal’s most prominent cinematographers, putting his thoughtful eye behind several of the country’s most illustrious projects and international hits. Audiences all over the world have recently been able to enjoy his work on the Netflix original series Glória, which broke records as the highest budgeted series in Portuguese television history, as well as Going to Brazil, Crime Time, La Cage Dorée (Gilded Cage), and Cinzento, the last of which won him the award for Best Cinematography at the 2017 Figueira da Foz International Film Festival.

Szankowski is no stranger to impressing audiences. In 2019, his film Variações was the highest grossing film at the Portuguese box office. It then went on to extraordinary success at countless prestigious international film festivals, taking home over 33 wins with 31 other nominations, including a nomination for Best Film at the Portuguese Golden Globes in 2021.

“It’s very rewarding to have a project so welcomed by the audience! It means we were able to pass the message in an interesting way, with a film that was visually pleasing and evoked emotion in the right place,” he says.

Variações is a biopic about António Variações, a famous Portuguese pop rock singer from the 80s who died from AIDS-related complications in 1984. He was a hairdresser that wanted to be a singer in the late seventies early eighties. He struggled without having any academic music training yet he had an amazing sense of rhythm, sang beautifully and wrote amazing lyrics. He was also very extravagant in his way of dressing, having recently been freed from dictatorship in Portugal. He was the first public figure to die from AIDS related sickness in the country, and Szankowski wanted to take part in telling such an important and impactful story.

“I love movies that tell true stories, especially people who overcome great challenges. They are examples of perseverance. I love the example Antonio gave us. Against all odds he became a successful singer and hairdresser, ahead of his time. It’s important to pass on the message that no matter your background, your education or training, age or sexual orientation you should follow your heart. Great achievements came from people braking barriers, by walking outside the box,” says Szankowski.

When making any period piece, there is the obvious visual challenge on transporting audiences back in time. Szankowski however chose not to make it look like a period film, with the belief that such stories are timeless and regardless that this film is a recreation of a real event, the deeper message is universal regardless of place and time, knowing that other key departments such as costume, production design, hair, and makeup would be effective in showing the time rather than the method of filming. 

“This could be a contemporary story. I started by plunging into Antonio’s life. Got familiar with all his songs (many are very well known), looked for images, pictures of him, articles, so I could get a feeling of how he was and capture that in the imagery,” he describes.

Szankowski’s cinematography is organic and cinematic but he also has an extensive background with commercials that proved pivotal while filming. Director João Maia wanted a lighter and more approachable look to the film, a balance between real but not documental where Szankowski’s style and experience proved fruitful, ultimately leading to the film’s great success.

“I loved recreating true events like concerts, TV shows, and famous events from the past. It’s like having a chance to experience those moments,” he concluded.