One last holdout from the era of celluloid has given in to the digital age—at least temporarily. FilmmakersJoelandEthan Coenhave continued to shoot their films on traditional celluloid film even as the industry has shifted towards digital photography, but for their next project, the Coen Brothers are making their first foray into the digital realm.Variety’s Kristopher Tapleyreports that the upcoming Western anthology Netflix seriesThe Ballad of Buster Scruggswas shot on digital, and thus will be the first Coen Brothers production not shot on traditional film.
The curious aspect here is that onBuster Scruggs, the Coen Brothers have not been working with their regular cinematographerRoger Deakins, but instead withBruno Delbonnel. Deakins—quite simply the best cinematographer of all time—has been collaborating with the Coen Brothers since 1991’sBarton Finkand shot films likeThe Shawshank RedemptionandNo Country for Old Men, but he made the switch to digital with 2011’sIn Timeand continued working with that format on films likeSkyfallandSicario. When Deakins reunited with the Coen Brothers for 2016’sHail, Caesar!he asked the filmmakers about shooting digitally, but for the Old Hollywood-set comedy the duo felt strongly the film should be shot on celluloid, so they went that route.
This is not the Coen Brothers’ first film without Deakins, and indeed Delbonnel shot the duo’s masterfulInside Llewyn Davisto terrific results. Deakins was busy working onBlade Runner 2049when the time came forBuster Scruggsto start up, so that accounts for his absence on this Netflix project. Deakins is currently shootingBrooklyndirectorJohn Crowley’s adaptationThe Goldfinch.
As for the format switch, many wondered if the Coens would go digital onBuster Scruggsgiven that it’s a Netflix series, and TV show schedules are far easier to manage when shooting digitally. We don’t know too much about the show just yet, other than the fact that it will consist of six Western-tinged tales and boasts a stellar ensemble that includesLiam Neeson,James Franco,Zoe Kazan,Brendan Gleeson, andTim Blake Nelsonas Buster Scruggs.
Delbonnel is currently in the Oscar race for his work onDarkest Hour, as is Deakins for his astounding photography forBlade Runner 2049. Celluloid film nearly died out a few years ago, but high-profile filmmakers likeSteven Spielberg,Christopher Nolan,Edgar Wright, andJudd Apatowhave kept the format alive by continuing to use it. It’ll be interesting to see if the Coen Brothers go back to celluloid when they make another movie, but for now I’m mighty curious to see the fruits of their first digital collaboration with Delbonnel.
The Ballad of Buster Scruggswill premiere on Netflix sometime this year.
