American Society of Cinematographers’s acclaimed series Clubhouse Conversations brings together cinematographers for in-depth discussions on the craft behind some of today’s most compelling films. In this episode, host and DP Tommy Maddox Upshaw, ASC, sits down with Director of Photography Markus Förderer, ASC, BVK, to discuss his work on September 5.

Förderer dives into how he shaped the film’s unique visual language, using a mix of modern and vintage lenses to ramp up the tension and urgency of the hostage crisis. “We wanted the audience to feel as though they were right there, experiencing everything firsthand,” he explains, highlighting the use of pre-programmed flicker effects, LED lighting, and handheld camerawork to create an immersive, period-specific atmosphere. He also discusses using the V-RAPTOR to capture dynamic, high-resolution imagery that allowed for greater flexibility in post-production.

The conversation also veers into the delicate dance between staying true to history and flexing creative license. From weaving in archival footage to pulling off long, uninterrupted takes, Förderer explains how these choices brought both authenticity and energy to the story.