Biography
Though he began his career as a news cameraman, French-born Nicolas Hayer had transitioned into cinematography by the age of 33. His first foray into cinematic camerawork was in 1931's "Black and White," a comedy about a woman who decides to get revenge on her cheating husband. From there, he went on to work as a cinematographer for just under 100 film and television projects over the course of a career that spanned almost 40 years. For his work on "La Chartreuse de Parme," Hayer won the 1948 Best Cinematography award at the Locarno International Film Festival. The cameraman is best remembered for his ability to capture the true character and essence of a setting, although he was also noted for his ability to work in a myriad of genres. This versatility is evidenced by his best-known works, including the psychological thriller "Le Corbeau," the romantic fantasy "Orpheus," and the political satire "Le Petit Monde de Don Camillo," in which Orson Welles portrays the voice of God. For the last decade of his career, Hayer shifted his focus to television. His final project was in 1967: the first episode of the TV series "Le Tribunal de l'Impossible." He died a little over 10 years later at the age of 80.
