One of the best film photography directors of all times in the Dominican Republic, 72-year old Claudio Chea Ariza passed away unexpectedly before dawn on Wednesday, 13 July 2022 of heart failure. He was hospitalized at the Clinica Abreu where he was programmed for a major heart operation in the early morning.
He studied at the New York Institute of Photography. In 1972 he was hired to work as assistant photography director for the movie, “Order to Kill” (1972), directed by Jose Maeso. In 1974, he got a second break when he worked as assistant cameraman to Gordon Willis in the filming in Santo Domingo of scenes for The Godfather II, directed by Francis Ford Coppola. He would later join Guede Films as director of photography and worked for major television advertisements for the local markets of Guatemala, El Salvador, Miami and other US cities.
He opened his own company Claudio Chea Films in Santo Domingo and focused on the production of TV advertising and documentaries. He directed “Camino al Pico Duarte” in 1985 and “El Paseo de la Virgen” in 1987.
As director of photography, he worked for:
1972: Order to Kill
1985: Crossover Dream
1995: Zooman
1996: Bitter Sugar
1999: Free of Eden, with Sidney Poitier
2000: Ali: An American Hero
2000: Hendrix
2001: Piñero
2004: Washington Heights (Manny Pérez)
2004: La Victoria Prison (Pinki Pintor)
2004: Washington Heights, by Alfredo de Villa
Piñero (2001)
2006: The singer
2006: Yellow.
2009: Enemies Lines: Colombia
2009: From the bottom of the night (Agliberto Meléndez)
2011: Garcia
2011: Freerunner
2012: Warter & Power
2013: Biodegradable (Juan Basanta).
In March 2018, the state university UASD recognized him declaring him honorary professor.
Claudio Chea was designed the spectacular lighting that enhances the experience of the Cueva de las Maravillas on the road between San Pedro de Macorís and La Romana.
He is survived by his wife Mariluz Valdez and children. He will be mourned at Blandino Funeral Home on Saturday, 16 July 2022.
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14 July 2022