– Who is Carl Rasmussen?

I stopped asking myself that question a long time ago. It’s easier to answer what I used to be. Well, I’m an artist, I guess. Living for the process of creating. It doesn’t really matter what, to be honest; whether it’s cooking, painting, or film, I’m the sucker that loves doing it. It sort of reflects in my history, too. I started out inventing and building things in my childhood, highly driven by curiosity and the question, “What if..?” It’s still my drive today. After a bunch of art schools and classes, I wanted to become a sculptor. Then I started to dive into photography, deeply fascinated by the process of taking and developing images. I spent hours, days, and weeks in studios and darkrooms, exposing and developing. While working as a photographer in New York, I realized I missed the energy of a large creative team. A chance opportunity on a film set in Mexico changed everything. The collaborative spirit of a film crew felt like coming home, and my passion for cinema clicked into place. Starting from the bottom as a spark on a Danish feature film directed by the Danish great Bille August and shot by Swedish DP Jörgen Persson. I was on a roll and kept working on almost three features a year. I lived more on set than off, haha. I became a focus puller and climbed that ladder quickly in Scandinavia. With so much experience with 35mm, I could almost sense distance. I worked tightly with the master of them all, Hoyte van Hoytema, and we finished 8 features together and countless commercials. So fun, and I loved it. The step to DP myself was always so close, but you really have to make up your mind, and when Hoyte went all-Hollywood, I took the time to take that step, and here I am. Still loving the process, the people, and the art.

– What new projects are you working on?

I prefer a balance between drama and commercials to keep myself on edge and sharp. Right now, I’m looking forward to a job in Japan, a place I’m fond of. Beautiful people, food, and culture. But I’m especially eager to start the Brazilian movie Nossos Caminhos with the wonderful director Carla Di Bonito. It’s a life story, an amazing script, and a beautiful crew, cast, and talent. Every time I read that script, I imagine so many scenes and shots. Truly impressive and a story that really needs to be told. We are starting with the pre-recce in September 2025.

– Which Cinematographer inspires you the most?

Life itself is the big inspiration for me. All the meets and greets, art and cultures, happy times as well as the sad ones. Some of the DPs that influenced me a lot are definitely Darius Khondji and his work with shadows, and Hoyte van Hoytema, from whom I have learned so much. Someone I deeply respect and have always wanted to meet is Christopher Doyle. His mind and eye are some of the most curious around, and he most definitely defines what it is to be a “Wild Filmmaker.”

– What do you dislike about the world and what would you change?

Big topic indeed. I believe there’s a growing disconnect in the world—a disconnect from each other and from the beauty around us. We get caught up in conflict and division and often forget to see the incredible art, culture, and natural wonder we’ve created and are surrounded by. If I could change one thing, it would be to bridge that disconnect. I believe filmmaking is a powerful tool for empathy. As a cinematographer, my goal is to create images that don’t just tell a story but also remind us of that profound, often overlooked beauty. I want to help audiences see the world, and each other, with fresh and wild eyes.

– How do you imagine cinema in 100 years?

I believe that in 100 years, the core of cinema will be exactly the same as it was thousands of years ago around the first campfires. The technology, the tools we use to tell our stories, will undoubtedly evolve in ways we can’t even predict. But the fundamental human need to share experiences, to feel connected through narrative, will remain constant. No matter how advanced the medium becomes, the most powerful element will always be a compelling story that makes us feel something. Storytelling will outlive all of us.

– What is your impression of WILD FILMMAKER?

Highly important work being done here. My impression is that WILD FILMMAKER is a vital and necessary platform in our industry. In a world of fleeting content, you celebrate the profound art of storytelling with depth and integrity. More than that, you are building a community. Filmmaking can sometimes be a truly isolating pursuit, and having a place that encourages, connects, and champions filmmakers at every stage of their career is invaluable. It’s this focus on community and the celebration of bold, untamed stories that personally draws me to your work. It’s about keeping the ‘campfire’ burning for all of us.