Cinematographer Uldis Millers / Article has gone to eternity

Film and video operator Uldis Millers (14.12.1955–31.07.2021) has passed away, informed the Latvian Cinematographers’ Union (LKS).

Uldis Millers was born in Riga on December 14, 1955 and spent a lot of time in the filming fields as a child, because his mother, film director Vija Millere, worked in a film studio. He graduated from Riga Secondary School No. 49 and in 1974 started working at the Riga Film Studio as a film-making technician. From 1976 to 1990, he worked as an assistant cinematographer and second cinematographer, participating in the production of about 30 feature films, until he became a cinematographer-director of feature films. He has acquired professional mastery in intensive work and in A.Tarkovskis master class at the Moscow Film Institute VGIK. Dāvis Sīmanis, Miku Zvirbulis and Gvido Skulti were considered to be their main teachers, from whom they jointly borrowed the innovation, taste, fine sense of style, image and drama of technical and artistic solutions.

It was noted in the Cinematographers’ Union that Una Celma’s VGIK diploma thesis film “Island” (1990) stood out with a fresh – bold and modern solution, the screen image of which was created by Uldis Millers. As a result of the changes of 1990, new studies emerged. Uldis Millers joined the team of Juris Podnieks. “This is an indicator of quality – the potter chose the best ones to go to the barricades, which could be relied on in human, professional and artistic terms,” ​​LKS emphasized. Miller became the leading operator of Juris Podnieks studio. Colleagues have said about his work – if the cameraman is Uldis Millers, the film must be seen, because the image will be interesting and expressive.

Miller’s account includes four feature films and more than 30 documentaries. Several have won awards at festivals, “Big Kristaps” nominations and awards for best film and cinematography. These include “The Republic of May 4” (2014), “Is It Easy …” (2010), “Dina” (2005), “Vidaya” (2004), “What Comes From” (2002). ), Checking Out (1998), Anatomy of Provocation (1996), The End of the Empire (1991) and others. He has also created many advertising clips and stories for Latvian and foreign televisions.

“He had become a brilliant professional, strong man who could be relied on, in whose warm smile and sincerity to warm up, to find an emotional and creative solution to both the problem and the film in a burst of conversation. Worked a lot, creatively and qualitatively, until the overload caused the rapid race to slow down … And now it has stopped … Thank you, Uldi! May the Way of the Sun be easy for you! ” farewell words are written by LKS.

The farewell will take place on Saturday, August 7, at 12.00 in the Great Hall of the Riga Crematorium, observing the restrictions of the pandemic.

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