Jean Lépine

A graduate of the prestigious National Film Board of Canada's documentary school, Lepine established himself as a cinematographer via his lengthy collaboration with idiosyncratic American auteur Robert Altman. His first film credit was as camera assistant for Altman's "Come Back to the 5 & Dime Jimmy Dean, Jimmy Dean" (1982) and he worked in the same capacity, or as camera operator, on Altman's "Streamers" (1983), "Fool for Love" (1985) and "O.C. and Stiggs" (1987). Regardless of the widely held critical impression that these and other 1980s films comprised a "low" period for Altman, Lepine gained valuable experience working with a meticulous craftsman, getting himself in synch with Altman's signature mix of cynical, documentary realism and satirical, absurdist hyperbole. Lepine also worked on a number of non-Altman Canadian films such as "Mario" (1984), "Exit" (1986) and "Speed Zone" (1989).