#benjamin loeb

A Big Bold Beautiful Journey (2025)

Directed by Kogonada

After Yang (2021)

Director - Kogonada, Cinematography - Benjamin Loeb

If you had asked me when I first started writing films what I would’ve wanted them to look like, I would have described to you in nearly exact terms the film Mandy.

It’s directed by Panos Cosmantos and the director of photography is Benjamin Loeb. Mandy is probably one of, if not the most visually gorgeous films I’ve ever seen. It drips with visual style and every frame is quite literally a painting. The colours in every scene are beautiful and left me breathless when I watched it.

Nicolas Cage is absolutely ferocious in this film with him not gong full Nick Cage until halfway through the film so if you’re not a big Nick Cage fan then don’t worry you’ll be able to handle this. On the other hand if you are a big Nick Cage fan then you are in for a fucking treat.

Ironically the reason why I watched this film is not because I saw a trailer or had it recommended to me but instead because I absolutely adore Jóhann Jóhannsson’s soundtrack for this film. Seriously if you’ve not heard it, take 41 minutes and 17 seconds out of your day and go and enjoy it. As a self diagnosed soundtrack addict I can firmly say that it is (much like the film) absolutely gorgeous and packed with emotion.

I remember that while I was watching it my brother came home and thought I was taking part in some demonic ritual so Panos Cosmantos is definitely doing something right. Also quick note the grain in this film is insane and gorgeous and please just go watch this fucking masterpiece.