Cinematographer Tudor Vladimir Panduru Details Long Takes at Jakarta World Cinema

Cinematographer Tudor Vladimir Panduru discussed his career and long-take methods during a masterclass at Jakarta World Cinema, moderated by Oscar-nominated director Benh Zeitlin. The session explored Panduru's work on films including "Graduation," "R.M.N.," "Fjord," and Iraqi director Hasan Hadi's "The President's Cake." Panduru trained under Oleg Mutu, Mungiu's longtime cinematographer, and gained international recognition with "Graduation," which was his second film in the role.

Long Takes

Panduru explained that director Cristian Mungiu prefers plan-séquence shooting, using one scene per shot with no editing or cuts. The camera stays low-profile instead of steering the audience, as viewers can understand the story themselves. The crew often shoots 20 to 40 takes to achieve the best outcome, relying on trust and team synchronicity rather than fixing poor takes. In "R.M.N.," Panduru managed a 20-minute take featuring over 100 people in a town hall, shooting a daytime scene at night and using focus pulling to edit and reframe without moving the camera.

Visual Styles

Unlike his work with Mungiu, Panduru described "The President's Cake" as a children's fairytale requiring a different visual language inspired by natural landscapes. This project allowed him to use running jib arms and wheels, techniques he later applied to "Fjord." For "Fjord," Panduru blocked outdoor natural light to extend shooting time for a family scene and filmed a complex final sequence where the camera follows star Renate Reinsve into the sea, requiring Panduru to jump into the freezing water alongside the actor.

Context

Masterclasses at international film festivals offer audiences and aspiring filmmakers a behind-the-scenes look at the technical choices and collaborations that shape modern cinema. Cinematographers often work closely with directors to establish a distinct visual style that supports the emotional and social themes of a story.