Adam Greenberg
About
Biography
Filmography
Biography
Talented Polish-born cinematographer, raised in Tel Aviv, who became one of Israel's most respected directors of photography before being courted by Hollywood. Greenberg worked for three years as a newsreel cameraman in Israel and also racked up credits on over 150 Israeli TV-movies and commercials. A prolific artist, Greenberg worked on many features in the 1970s, most notably with director Moshe Mizrahi, several of which ("I Love You Rosa" 1972, "The House on Chelouche Street" 1973) were nominated for Best Foreign Film Oscars.
Greenberg gradually moved from intimate dramas toward more action-oriented fare, which suited him well when Hollywood came calling. Although he had worked on the routine US-produced Western, "Madron" (1970), which was shot in Israel, his first notable American film was Sam Fuller's expansive, hard-hitting and poetic war drama "The Big Red One" (1980). That same year he would also work with Boaz Davidson, an Israeli colleague from several past films, on "Seed of Innocence." Greenberg's Hollywood breakthrough, though, came with the exciting sci-fi actioner, "The Terminator" (1984), whose cinematography evoked both the dark, steamy violence of film noir and the coldly riveting grimness of high-tech fantasy. Greenberg and director James Cameron would team again for an excellent and more elaborate sequel, "Terminator 2: Judgment Day" (1991). Other work, meanwhile, has shown a flair for the slick imagery suited to modern screen horror, as with Kathryn Bigelow's striking "Near Dark" (1987) and the gentler fantasies of "Ghost" (1990).
Greenberg has also continued to work in drama ("La Bamba" 1987) and farce ("Three Men and a Baby" 1987). Indeed, his 90s work has suggested a move to milder fare, especially comedy, shooting the blockbusters "Sister Act" (1992) and "Dave" (1993). He returned to the action genre with "Eraser" (1996), Barry Levinson's sci-fi-themed "Sphere" (1997) and the Jackie Chan-Chris Tucker vehicle "Rush Hour" (1998).
Filmography
Cast (Feature Film)
Cinematography (Feature Film)
Film Production - Lighting/Electrical (Feature Film)
Film Production - Main (Feature Film)
Misc. Crew (Feature Film)
Cinematography (TV Mini-Series)
Life Events
1970
Earliest film credits included the cinematography on the US-produced feature shot in Israel, "Madron"
1972
Collaborated with director Moshe Mizrahi on several films beginning with "Ani Ohev Otach Rosa/I Love You Rosa"
1975
Began collaborating with director Menahem Golan; earliest work together included the film, "Diamonds"
1979
Worked with director Boaz Davidson in both Israel and the USA; earliest collaborations included "Yotzim Kavua"
1980
Began working in the USA full-time
1984
Breakthrough hit film in the USA, "The Terminator", starring Arnold Schwarzenegger
1991
Received an Oscar nomination for his work on the feature, "Terminator 2: Judgment Day"
1993
Shot the political comedy "Dave", helmed by Ivan Reitman
1994
Reteamed with Reitman and star Schwarzenegger for "Junior"
1995
Served as director of photography on "First Knight"
1997
Created the underwater look for Barry Levinson's sci-fi flick "Sphere"
1998
Shot the Jackie Chan-Chris Tucker vehicle "Rush Hour"
Videos
Movie Clip
Trailer
