Background
Kaufman was born into a family of Jewish intellectuals in Białystok when Congress Poland was part of the Russian Empire.
Kaufman was born into a family of Jewish intellectuals in Białystok when Congress Poland was part of the Russian Empire.
University of Paris.
Mikhail and Denis stayed in the Soviet Union and became notable filmmakers, producing avant-garde and agitprop films. The brothers later stayed in touch primarily by letters. Vertov visited Boris Kaufman in Paris twice, in 1929 and 1931.
After graduating from the University of Paris Kaufman turned to cinematography, collaborating with Jean Vigo and Dimitri Kirsanoff.
During World World War II, he served in the French Army against the Nazis. When France fell, Kaufman escaped to Canada.
After working briefly with John Grierson for the National Film Board of Canada, he moved to the United States in 1942. Foreign Baby Doll (1956), he received a second Oscar nomination.
Kaufman was director of photography for Sidney Lumet"s first film, 12 Angry Men (1957), and The Pawnbroker (1964).
Retiring in 1970, he died in New York City in 1980.