Hoyte Van Hoytema, a Dutch-Swedish director of photography, was born in Horgen, Switzerland, and his life's journey was filled with twists and turns before he achieved success in the film industry. Despite being rejected twice from a film school in The Netherlands, Van Hoytema's passion for filmmaking only grew stronger.
In the face of adversity, he worked in a soap factory, a carpentry factory, and even played in a band, showcasing his versatility and determination. The desire to explore his roots led him and his brother to visit Poland, where their grandfather was from.
This visit ultimately led to Van Hoytema attending the prestigious Polish film school in Lodz, a institution that has been attended by notable filmmakers such as Andrzej Wajda, Roman Polanski, and Krzysztof Kieslowski. During his time at the film school, Kieslowski, who was a professor at the time, even supervised one of Van Hoytema's projects.
Although Van Hoytema left the film school early without receiving a degree, he had gained valuable credentials and experience. He began his career by making documentaries and eventually caught the attention of a producer who asked him to shoot a low-budget film in Norway.
This opportunity led to Van Hoytema filming another project in Norway, which was led by a producer who was active in Sweden. The producer offered him a chance to work on a television show and another feature film, marking the beginning of Van Hoytema's career as a notable filmmaker in Sweden.
His film "Let the Right One In" gained him international recognition, and he went on to work on notable projects such as "The Fighter," "Her," "Interstellar," and "Dunkirk." Throughout his journey, Van Hoytema's passion for filmmaking and his determination to succeed in the face of adversity have made him a renowned director of photography.
