Emmanuel Lubezki has won the cinematography Academy Award for “Birdman,” a year after taking the trophy for “Gravity.”
The Mexican d.p. is widely known as “Chivo” — meaning “goat” in Spanish. Presenter Jessica Chastain announced the award Sunday by proclaiming “Chivo!”
Lubezki won over “The Grand Budapest Hotel,” “Ida,” “Mr. Turner” and “Unbroken.” The win by Lubezki deprives Roger Deakins of an Oscar for “Unbroken,” which represented Deakins’ 12th nomination without an Oscar.
Lubezki, 51, was widely praised for his execution of the remarkable continuous-shot style of Alejandro G. Inarritu’s “Birdman” – similar to the shooting style of Alfonso Cuaron’s “Gravity.” He won every major critic award along with Bafta, the Spirits and the American Society of Cinematographers, which made him the heavy favorite for the Oscar.
“You’re a genius but you’re a pain in the ass” Lubezki said of Inarritu when he won the Spirit award on Saturday.
On Sunday, he was more restrained in a brief acceptance.
“Wow, this is extraordinary,” he said. “I want to especially give thanks to my friend, Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu.”
Lubezki had lost out at six straight Academy Awards before winning for “Gravity.”
