Latin America. For cinematographer Isaac Vila, the choice of lenses is the most important decision of all when planning a feature film. In his latest project for Netflix Bajocero, which has quickly become a worldwide success, he chose the Cooke S7/i Full Frame lenses, creating the perfect environment for this thriller.
The Netflix original film follows the events following the attack on a prisoner transfer van. The officer in charge must fight the prisoners inside while outside he faces a silent enemy: freezing temperatures.
Much of the film's action takes place inside the van, with some additional scenes in and around Madrid and a variety of smaller cities, including the ancient city of Segovia, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Full-frame lenses were not the first option, explains Vila: "At first we wanted to shoot the film with anamorphic ones. Then we realized that perhaps it was not the best option seeing how small the space in the van was. It was then that we opted for spherical, but in Full Frame format to get that feeling of spaciousness. The Cooke S7/i was perfectly suited to what we needed. They offer the quality, and at the same time a minimum of focus, that allowed us to shoot freely inside the van. We also used a T2 diaphragm, which was much appreciated for the night shots."
Vila adds, "Fog and cold are very important narrative elements, and the softening features of cooke lenses offered the perfect combination for these elements to become additional characters."
One of the film's most visually captivating scenes takes place underwater. "Without a doubt, the most challenging shots of all were the underwater scenes. Filming with five actors inside a truck in the water had many complications, from various elements in coordination to making sure key moments are captured. But they are perhaps the most visually striking scenes in the film," says Vila.
