Sir Roger Deakins, cinematographer

Sir Roger Deakins is an acclaimed cinematographer who is known for his visual artistry on films including The Shawshank Redemption, 1917, Fargo, Skyfall and Blade Runner 2049. His talents have been acknowledged with a knighthood, five BAFTAs and two Oscars.

Roger was born in Torquay, Devon in 1949. In 1968 he attended the Bath Academy of Art where he was inspired by one of his tutors, the street photographer Roger Mayne, to go out with his camera and capture what he saw. Roger Deakins followed this advice and spent his weekends shooting people and places in British seaside towns.

In 1975 Roger graduated from the National Film School in Beaconsfield and started work as a cameraman – making documentaries and music videos. His first feature film was Cruel Passion which came out in 1977. In 1984 he worked on Michael Radford’s film adaptation of George Orwell’s novel 1984, starring Richard Burton and John Hurt.

The first of Roger’s collaborations with filmmakers Joel and Ethan Coen started in 1991 with the film Barton Fink. The three of them went on to make 12 films together including O Brother, Where Art Thou? Fargo and The Big Lebowski.

In 2018 Roger won his first Academy Award for Blade Runner 2049, directed by Denis Villeneuve. He was knighted for services to film in 2021.

Roger lives in California with his wife James. They also have a home in Devon.

DISC ONE: One of Us Cannot Be Wrong - Leonard Cohen
DISC TWO: Aqaba - June Tabor
DISC THREE: 21st Century Schizoid Man - King Crimson
DISC FOUR: Soldier’s Song - Lucinda Williams
DISC FIVE: Bat Out of Hell - Meat Loaf
DISC SIX: The Island - Paul Brady
DISC SEVEN: Sun Comes Up, It's Tuesday Morning - Cowboy Junkies
DISC EIGHT: Isn’t it a Pity - Nina Simone

BOOK CHOICE: Moby Dick by Herman Melville
LUXURY ITEM: Fishing tackle
CASTAWAY'S FAVOURITE: Aqaba - June Tabor

Presenter: Lauren Laverne
Producer: Paula McGinley