Wolf Suschitzky

Wolf Suschitzky - Photographer and Cameraman

A 2009, 21 min,
Mischief Films

Wolf Suschitzky, born in Vienna in 1912, is a living legend in film circles. Faced with the rise of Austrofascism, Suschitzky, who belonged to a working-class family, emigrated from Vienna to London in 1934 and soon became famous for his photojournalism. His pictures paved the way for a start in the film business, and during a career as a cameraman which lasted over 50 years, he became one of the most important figures on the British film scene. Suschitzky’s photographs can also be seen at renowned galleries and collections around the world. He regarded himself more as craftsman than artist, and his precise eye has always played an important role. Both seeing and visualizing have been developed to perfection in his varied and multifaceted work.

Joerg Burger, himself a photographer and cameraman, portrays Suschitzky’s eventful professional and private life. The 99-year-old’s stories, anecdotes and reminiscences provide the foundation for a dialogue with the cameraman of all trades, whose vitality and mischievous sense of humor give this short film portrait its particular charm.

An homage to a great and modest man of film.

Book recommendation

In 2010 SYNEMA – Gesellschaft für Film und Medien (Vienna) published wolf suschitzky films, edited by Michael Omasta, Brigitte Mayr and Ursula Seeber.

ISBN 978-3-901644-33-7

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