Robert Richardson Honored with KVIFF’s Crystal Globe as “The White Devil” Documentary Premieres

On 6 July 2026, the 60th Karlovy Vary International Film Festival awarded its Crystal Globe for Outstanding Artistic Contribution to World Cinema to cinematographer Robert Richardson. Harvey Keitel presented the honor in Grand Hall after a montage of Richardson’s work.

Robert Richardson receives the Crystal Globe and presents a documentary portrait of his life and work

Richardson, now in his early 70s, has three Oscars for *JFK*, *The Aviator* and *Hugo*. His long white hair earned the nickname “The White Devil.” He has worked with Oliver Stone, Martin Scorsese and Quentin Tarantino. The Czech documentary *Robert Richardson: The White Devil*, directed by Jana Hojdová, premiered at the festival.

The Guardian

Key participants: Robert Richardson (cinematographer, honoree); Jana Hojdová (documentary director); Harvey Keitel (presenter); KVIFF (festival, 80th anniversary); Oliver Stone, Martin Scorsese, Quentin Tarantino.

Hollywood Reporter

Richardson said the award signals hope for emerging filmmakers and urged free streaming of independent cinema. He also noted his habit of wearing a new bracelet at the start of each film, removing it when the project ends. Keitel praised Richardson’s work as speaking for itself and called him one of the greatest cinematographers of his era.

Hollywood Reporter

The documentary reveals that Richardson’s collaboration with Oliver Stone ended after he chose to work with Scorsese, and that he clashed with Tarantino over a shot in *Kill Bill*. It also discloses an estrangement from his brother following the brother’s child’s death, a personal dispute not covered elsewhere.

The Guardian

The audience laughed when Richardson recounted mistaking Keitel for De Niro, then gave sustained applause as he received the Globe. Jana Hojdová later presented him with a symbolic bracelet on stage, a moment described as emotional.

Robert Richardson receives the Crystal Globe and presents a documentary portrait of his life and work

The Guardian review mentions intimate home-movie footage of Richardson’s mother’s death and his habit of recording family life, details absent from the Hollywood Reporter coverage. While the documentary’s ten-year production span is noted, precise filming dates remain undisclosed.

The Guardian

• “I look out into the streets here, and I see so many people and so many here within this hall, and there are so many young people. What I think this particular award represents is a singular future, the future that we all need and want. I love that this festival opens the opportunity for seeing films that we rarely see, and holding films as [an] art [form].” — Robert Richardson

Hollywood Reporter

• “I’m overwhelmed. I had a speech prepared on paper, but after what we’ve just seen – Bob’s work speaks for itself. We are in the presence of one of the greatest cinematographers of our time,” — Harvey Keitel

Robert Richardson receives the Crystal Globe and presents a documentary portrait of his life and work

• “Are you trying to get me killed?!” — Harvey Keitel

Hollywood Reporter

• “I have a tradition – every time I start a movie, I have one bracelet, and I wear it for the entire movie. … When they come off, that means the film’s gonna die.” — Robert Richardson

Hollywood Reporter

Richardson will appear on THR’s *Awards Chatter* podcast with Scott Feinberg later Sunday, and the documentary is slated for further festival screenings and eventual worldwide distribution.

Hollywood Reporter