In a detailed discussion published by No Film School, award‑winning cinematographer Autumn Durald Arkapaw breaks down her creative decisions behind the acclaimed visuals of "Sinners," the 2025 feature directed by Ryan Coogler. The conversation focuses on why shooting on 65mm large‑format film and IMAX cameras was central to achieving the movie’s distinctive look and emotional impact.
Arkapaw explains that the choice of large‑format film was both aesthetic and practical. By using IMAX 65mm and Ultra Panavision 70 cameras, she and the "Sinners" team were able to capture extraordinarily rich detail, expansive landscape shots, and cinematic depth that align with the film’s genre‑blending narrative.
These formats offer higher resolution and a more immersive visual experience than typical digital cameras, giving scenes a grand sense of scale — an important quality for a story that moves between intimate character moments and sweeping atmospheric sequences.
The cinematographer also discusses how the lens character and optical choices influenced mood and performance, creating visual texture that supports storytelling rather than distracting from it. This approach involved close collaboration with Panavision engineers to test lenses and cameras that could deliver both sharpness and expressive qualities, allowing actors and environments to feel more alive on screen.
Arkapaw’s insights underscore cinema as a tactile, intentional craft, where format selection — film stock, lens choice, and capture medium — plays a vital role in shaping the audience’s emotional experience.
Her discussion further highlights the importance of technical experimentation within large‑scale studio filmmaking, reaffirming that visual strategy remains a core part of cinematic storytelling in the modern era.
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