Vittorio Storaro is a renowned cinematographer, celebrated for his outstanding work on several iconic films. Born on June 24, 1940, in Rome, Italy, he was raised in a family of film enthusiasts, with his father working as a projectionist at the Lux Film Studio. At the age of 11, Storaro began studying photography at a technical school, which marked the beginning of his journey in the world of cinematography.
As a young man, Storaro enrolled at C.I.A.C (Italian Cinematographic Training Centre) and later attended the state cinematography school Centro Sperimentale di Cinematografia, where he was one of the youngest students ever. His talent and dedication earned him a promotion to camera operator within a year, at the age of 20.
Storaro's early career was marked by his collaboration with acclaimed director Bernardo Bertolucci on several films, including "Before the Revolution" and "The Spider's Stratagem". He went on to work with Bertolucci on numerous projects, such as "The Conformist", "Last Tango in Paris", and "Luna".
In 1979, Storaro won his first Academy Award for his work on Francis Ford Coppola's "Apocalypse Now", a film that showcased his innovative visual style and mastery of lighting. He continued to work with Coppola on several projects, including "One from the Heart" and "Tucker: The Man and His Dream".
Storaro's collaboration with Warren Beatty on "Reds" earned him his second Oscar, and he went on to work with Beatty on "Dick Tracy" and "Bulworth". His third Oscar came for his work on Bertolucci's "The Last Emperor", a film that won the Best Picture Academy Award.
Throughout his career, Storaro has been a strong advocate for the importance of collaboration in filmmaking, emphasizing that cinema is a collective art form that requires the input of many people to bring a story to life. He has also been a pioneer in the development of new technologies, including his work on the "Univision" film system, which aims to provide a universal aspect ratio for both movies and television in the digital age.
Storaro's innovative approach to cinematography has earned him numerous accolades, including the American Society of Cinematographer's Lifetime Achievement Award, which he received at a young age, making him the youngest person to receive this honor.
