Clubhouse Conversations — Nanny

Cinematographer Rina Yang, BSC is joined by interviewer Steven Fierberg, ASC for this episode on her work in Nanny — a psychological horror feature that follows an undocumented Senegalese immigrant's unsettling experiences living and working in New York City.

Nanny examines the overlapping personal and professional lives of Aisha (Anna Diop), a live-in caretaker who works for a wealthy family on NYC's Upper East Side and becomes increasingly disturbed by terrifying visions of a strange mythological creature. The film marks both Yang and writer-director Nikyatu Jusu's feature debut, and won the Grand Jury Prize at the 2022 Sundance Film Festival, making it the first-ever horror title to receive the honor.

Also Read: Nanny — An Immigrant’s Dripping-Wet, Waking Nightmare

In this interview, Yang discusses how her penchant for colored lighting suited the film's material; the challenges of filming pivotal scenes in a swimming pool and at a lake; her approach to lighting faces and various skin tones; and how she and Jusu aimed to imbue the film with a sense of heightened reality.

Rina Yang, BSC is a cinematographer raised in Japan and based in London. She is the first Asian woman to become a member of the British Society of Cinematographers, and was selected for the BAFTA Breakthrough in 2020. Her extensive background in music videos includes collaborations with Taylor Swift, Dua Lipa, FKA Twigs, Sam Smith and Kamasi Washington, and her TV series credits include episodes of Euphoria and Top Boy.

Steven Fierberg, ASC is an award-winning cinematographer whose credits include the TV series Emily in Paris, Entourage, mini-series Attila and feature Secretary (2002). In 2002, he won the ASC Award for Outstanding Achievement in Cinematography for his work on Atilla.

You’ll find all episodes in our ASC Clubhouse Conversations discussion series here.