Christopher Doyle is a renowned Australian-Hong Kong cinematographer, recognized for his impressive work on Chinese language films. Throughout his illustrious career, he has garnered numerous accolades, including awards at the prestigious Cannes Film Festival and Venice Film Festival, as well as the AFI Award for cinematography, the Golden Horse awards (four times),and Hong Kong Film Award (six times).
As an affiliate of the Hong Kong Society of Cinematographers, Doyle has consistently demonstrated his mastery of the craft, showcasing his exceptional skills in various projects. Born in Sydney, Australia in 1952, he embarked on a remarkable journey at the age of eighteen, leaving his native country on a Norwegian merchant ship. This bold move marked the beginning of his unconventional path, which saw him take on a variety of unusual jobs, including stints as a Kibbutz-nick cowboy in Israel, homeopathic doctor in Thailand, and "green agriculturalist" in India.
In the late 1970s, Doyle underwent a transformative experience, rebranding himself as Du Ke Feng, which translates to "like the wind." This rebirth led him to Taiwan, where he honed his skills as a language student and photographer. His big break came in 1983, when he was hired as a cinematographer on Edward Yang's That Day, on the Beach.
Since his artistic rebirth, Du Ke Feng has collaborated on over fifty Chinese-language films, solidifying his reputation as a master cinematographer. His most notable collaborations include works with acclaimed directors Wong Kar-Wai, Edward Yang, and others. Doyle's impressive body of work includes films such as Chungking Express, In the Mood for Love, and 2046, as well as projects like Temptress Moon, Hero, Happy Together, and Dumplings.
As his "alter ego" Christopher Doyle, he has directed and shot numerous films in various languages and film cultures, including Gus Van Sant's remake of Psycho, Liberty Heights, Last Life in the Universe, Rabbit-Proof Fence, Paranoid Park, and The Limits of Control. Doyle has also ventured into writing, directing, and shooting his own projects, such as Warsaw Dark, Away with Words starring Asano Tadanobu, and Hong Kong Trilogy: Preschooled Preoccupied Preposterous, an experimental portrait of three generations of Hong Kong people.
Currently, Doyle is working on The White Girl, a tribute to his adopted hometown of Hong Kong, alongside co-director Jenny Suen. In recognition of his remarkable contributions to the world of cinematography, Doyle received the prestigious "Pierre Angénieux ExcelLens in Cinematography" award during the 70th Cannes Festival on May 26, 2017. The ceremony, co-hosted by filmmaker Olivier Assayas and actress Juliette Binoche, honored Doyle's rich and influential career.
