Personal details
- Birth Date: 1954-06-15
- Birth Location: Aalborg, Denmark
- Professions: Cinematographer, Camera and Electrical Department
Dan Laustsen, straight out of Denmark, has this wild knack for making movies look absolutely stunning. Seriously, the guy’s got an eye. You might not know his name off the top of your head, but you’ve definitely seen his work—think Crimson Peak (that moody gothic haunted house flick in 2015), the relentless neon chaos of John Wick: Chapter 2, or the dreamy, water-logged romance of The Shape of Water. Yeah, the one with the fish-man romance that somehow made everyone cry. That last one? Landed him an Oscar nom, no big deal. He didn’t just stumble into this world, either. Back in the late '70s, he was grinding away at the National Film School of Denmark, learning the ropes and probably surviving on a steady diet of coffee and ambition. By 1979, he was out—camera in hand, ready to make his mark. And he really did. Laustsen’s not just a feature film guy; he’s tinkered with documentaries and commercials, too, always bringing that same thoughtful, atmospheric touch. That’s kinda his signature: every frame tells a story, even before the actors open their mouths. Oh, and he’s tight with the Danish Society of Cinematographers. It’s not just a club—it’s where the top-tier film nerds hang out and swap tricks of the trade. Laustsen’s work just oozes style, whether he’s lighting up a gothic mansion or following a hitman through rain-soaked streets. Bottom line: if you’re watching something he’s shot, you’re in for a visual treat.
So, this director cut their teeth at the Danish National Film School, class of ’79—no small feat, honestly. We're talking about a place that spits out creative minds like it’s a factory for cinematic brilliance. Back in those days, the Danish film scene was just starting to heat up, and being part of that graduating class meant rubbing shoulders with future legends. The school’s all about hands-on work, so you better believe this person spent countless hours hunched over cameras, probably living on coffee and wild dreams. That sort of training? It sticks with you. It shapes your whole approach—storytelling, visuals, the guts to try weird stuff nobody else would dare. You see it in their movies: that restless energy, the attention to detail, the way they’re not afraid to get a little raw or rough around the edges. That 1979 diploma? It’s not just a piece of paper. It’s a launching pad.
June 15, 1954
Konidela Ram Charan
Aalborg, Denmark
71 years old