For the Family

09/04/2024

Co-written and directed by Thomas Cailley, The Animal Kingdom (Le r gne animal) follows a father and son's adventure to find their family's matriarch after she falls victim to an epidemic that's turning humans into animals. The feature-length film was an endeavor among family members behind the camera as well, as Thomas teamed with his brother, cinematographer David Cailley, to envision it all. Captured with Primo 70 lenses and a camera package provided by Panavision Paris, the project's distinct look stems from the Cailley brothers' ability to bridge their inspirations with technology. Cinematographer David Cailley discussed with Panavision the inspirations and instruments that helped the filmmakers bring their shared vision to life.

Panavision: How did you become involved in The Animal Kingdom?

David Cailley: I was involved in this film very early on. Thomas made me read the first versions of the script, we went to do pre-scouting in the region two years before filming, to get inspiration, find the identity of the film's image, the degree of realism in which it was necessary to locate the settings.

How would you describe the look of the project?

Cailley: We were attracted by a film look, and we also wanted to benefit from the advantages of digital longer takes, small cameras, increased sensitivity at night. As with the creatures in the film, I had the impression that the idea was to have a hybrid image, which sits at the border of these different technologies.

Were there any particular visual references that you looked to for inspiration?

Cailley: We had quite different references. It went from The Host by Bong Joon Ho, to Running on Empty by Sydney Lumet.

What attracted you to the Primo 70 lenses?

Cailley: I really wanted the look of Panavision lenses, though I wasn't sure which lens series. We debated between anamorphic and spherical. We did some tests and were very convinced by the Primo 70s, which have incredible definition and discreet, elegant flares while maintaining softness in the highlights, which gives an organic appearance to the image.

What inspired you to become a cinematographer, and what inspires you today?

Cailley: The films Ive seen, of course, but I also think it was my fathers camcorder. This magical side of transforming reality into a film when watching a film, I always wonder how its made, how it gets on a screen. Most of the time we dont really know why a film works. It is an inert object that becomes alive. This is what inspires me, all the films that touch me without knowing exactly why, the images that remain, that are imprinted in our memory.

Photos by David Cailley, Ivan Mathie, and Erwan Becquelin.

LINK:	https://www.panavision.com/highlights/highlights-detail/for-the-family...
	See more stories from panavision

Most recent headlines

05/01/2027

Worlds first 802.15.4ab-UWB chip verified by Calterah and Rohde & Schwarz to be demoed at CES 2026

Worlds first 802.15.4ab-UWB chip verified by Calterah and Rohde & Schwarz to be ...

01/06/2026

Dolby Sets the New Standard for Premium Entertainment at CES 2026

January 6 2026, 05:30 (PST) Dolby Sets the New Standard for Premium Entertainment at CES 2026 Throughout the week, Dolby brings to life the latest innovatio...

02/05/2026

Dalet Flex LTS Delivers Smarter Search, Faster Editing, and an AI-Ready Foundation for Modern Media

Dalet, a leading technology and service provider for media-rich organizations, t...

01/05/2026

NBCUniversal's Peacock to Be First Streamer to Integrate Dolby's Full Suite of Premium Picture and Sound Innovations

January 5 2026, 18:30 (PST) NBCUniversal's Peacock to Be First Streamer to ...

01/04/2026

DOLBY AND DOUYIN EMPOWER THE NEXT GENERATON OF CREATORS WITH DOLBY VISION

January 4 2026, 18:00 (PST) DOLBY AND DOUYIN EMPOWER THE NEXT GENERATON OF CREATORS WITH DOLBY VISION Douyin Users Can Now Create And Share Videos With Stun...

18/03/2026

Net Insight Names Larissa GrnerMeeus CPO

Newly named chief product officer (CPO), Larissa G rner Meeus will return to Net Insight on May 4. Larissa G rner Meeus will become CPO of Net Insight on May 4...

18/03/2026

SVG Europe's The Football Summit 2026: Select Sessions Now Available to Watch on SVG PLAY

SVG Europe's The Football Summit 2026 explored how the sports broadcasting i...

18/03/2026

SVG's SportsTech@NABShow Blog Goes Live as Countdown to Vegas Heats Up

The 2026 NAB Show kicks off one month from today and SVG is once again set to cover the show from every angle. SVG's SportsTech@NAB Show Blog is now live - ...

18/03/2026

The Premiere of Dead Lover Showcases Grave Robbing and Sex With a Giant Finger

(L-R) The cast and crew of Dead Lover at The Ray Theater for its premiere at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival. (Photo by Robin Marshall/Shutterstock for Sundan...

18/03/2026

Music Row Piano from Wiltone Productions

Yamaha C7 captured in Nashville Wiltone Productions have announced the release of Music Row Piano, a deeply sampled Yamaha C7 piano library that's been ...

18/03/2026

Techivation introduce T-Warmer Mk2

Bass-enhancement plug-in upgraded Along with a steady stream of new releases, Techivation have recently been revisiting some of the older plug-ins in their ...

18/03/2026

Tonal Balance Control 3 from iZotope

Mix-reference plug-in overhauled iZotope's powerful mix-referencing plug-in has just reached its third major version, and now boasts a new capture proce...

18/03/2026

Toontrack Transistor Organ EKX

Latest EZKeys 2 expansion arrives Toontrack's staggering collection of EZKeys 2 expansions has grown once again, and the latest instalment delivers a on...

18/03/2026

Jess Ho explores the politics of food in new SBS Audio podcast For The Culture

Jess Ho explores the politics of food in new SBS Audio podcast For The Culture 18 March, 2026 Media releases New SBS Audio podcast For The Culture, hosted ...

18/03/2026

Future-ready broadcasts with ATSC 3.0 and enhanced services from Rohde & Schwarz at NAB 2026

Future-ready broadcasts with ATSC 3.0 and enhanced services from Rohde & Schwarz...

18/03/2026

LCTWS 2026

London Calling - When The Industry Convened to Help Streaming Find its MoJo In this blog, Laura Rognoni reflects on key discussions from the Connected TV World...

18/03/2026

SMPTE Unveils 2026 NAB Show Educational Presentations

SMPTE Unveils 2026 NAB Show Educational Presentations Brie Clayton March 18, 2026 0 Comments SMPTE , the home of media professionals, technologists, a...

18/03/2026

Auditel Ad Campaign Shot on Blackmagic PYXIS 12K

Auditel Ad Campaign Shot on Blackmagic PYXIS 12K Brie Clayton March 18, 2026 0 Comments LED wall virtual production blends 12K open gate acquisition w...

18/03/2026