BLUE BAYOU | Co-DPs Matthew Chuang, ACS and Ante Cheng

Cinematographers Ante Cheng and Matthew Chuang, ACS are a rare team of two DPs, whose collaborative work on Blue Bayou, with director Justin Chon, opens Sep. 17.

The Focus Features film stars Justin Chon (Gook), Mark O’Brien (Arrival), Emory Cohen (The Place Behind the Pines) and Academy Award Winner Alicia Vikander (Ex Machina). The film, lensed entirely on Kodak 16mm, premiered to critical acclaim as an Official Selection in the Cannes Film Festival’s 2021 Un Certain Regard. The film tells the timely story of a mixed-race couple, who come up against immigration woes as the INS endeavors to deport the husband.

Australian director of photography Matthew Chuang, ACS is a long-standing member of the industry. He recently wrapped principal photography on You Won’t Be Alone, from writer and director Goran Stovleski and producers Causeway (The Babadook), starring Noomi Rapace (The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo) and Alice Englert (Beautiful Creatures). Chuang also worked on Outlaw: The Saga of Afeni and Tupak Shakur, a five-part documentary series directed by Allen Hughes (The Defiant Ones; Menace II Society) with FX and Disney, set to release Mother’s Day 2022.

Cheng shot East of La Brea, a comedy series from executive producer Paul Feig nominated for the coveted SXSW Grand Jury Prize. He previously collaborated with Chon on Ms. Purple, which premiered at the 2019 Sundance Festival. The film demonstrates Cheng’s powerful use of striking nocturnal imagery, with what Variety calls “a restive, lonely handsomeness.” 

Cheng and Chon are currently working together on the upcoming Apple+ series Pachinko, set to air later this year.  

Both Chuang and Cheng, who each have a parallel personal story about U.S. immigration, are skilled artisans in their craft. Their cinematography in Blue Bayou highlights their exceptional range, talent and chemistry.

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