Cinematographer. Born Henri Albert Alakan, he was a traveling puppeteer before beginning his movie career as an assistant cameraman in the 1930s. By 1940, he was a camera operator to cinematographer Eugene Shufftan whose non-naturalistic style greatly influenced his use of light and shadows to create dramatic effect. After escaping German captivity during World War II, he formed his own resistance group, known as "July 14," which gave assistance and false identities to persons evading the Germans. Resuming his career after the war, he received his first notoriety as director of photography in the 1946 war epic "Battle Of The Railway." He worked on such notable films as "Anna Karenina," "Riptide," and "Roman Holiday," as well as the controversial Hollywood films, "Topkapi" and "Mayerling." He died at Auxerre near Dijon at the age of 92.
Cinematographer. Born Henri Albert Alakan, he was a traveling puppeteer before beginning his movie career as an assistant cameraman in the 1930s. By 1940, he was a camera operator to cinematographer Eugene Shufftan whose non-naturalistic style greatly influenced his use of light and shadows to create dramatic effect. After escaping German captivity during World War II, he formed his own resistance group, known as "July 14," which gave assistance and false identities to persons evading the Germans. Resuming his career after the war, he received his first notoriety as director of photography in the 1946 war epic "Battle Of The Railway." He worked on such notable films as "Anna Karenina," "Riptide," and "Roman Holiday," as well as the controversial Hollywood films, "Topkapi" and "Mayerling." He died at Auxerre near Dijon at the age of 92.
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