American New Wave 25: Inbal Weinberg

A blue collar family’s nest. A motel specializing in one nighter theme rooms. A unit in a retired folks home that describes a person’s life in one snapshot. Derek Cianfrance’s Blue Valentine affecting and memorable relationship study is brought to life via layers of descriptive info – you have Production Designer to thank for that boost of realism. From dressing suburbia settings to adding subtle traits to folks living in one of the five boroughs, if I were to poll the numerous filmmakers with who’ve worked with Inbal Weinberg, I’d bet they’d say she’s gets the look down to a tee.

Weinberg’s impressive filmography includes too many credits to mention here, but some of the highlights in her ascension to the ranks as a go-to choice of production designer, includes her work as an art department co-ordinator for Todd Solondz’s Palindromes, and as the art director for 2006’s Stephanie Daley and Half Nelson. Since 2008, she has been on films such as Frozen River, Don’t Let Me Drown and Cianfrance’s gem. Currently working on Jesse Peretz’s My Idiot Brother, we’ll most likely see her future work (Max Winkler’s Ceremony and Dee Rees’ Pariah) featured at the 2011 edition of the Sundance Film Festival.