Every film has shadows. Shadows are a natural part of lighting and are almost unavoidable. However, sometimes a filmmaker will use shadows in a way that is significant to visual storytelling. Terrence Malick falls under this category. While shadows may be in most shots due to the absence of light, Malick chooses to focus on the shadows, making them the subject of the frame. Rather than focusing on characters roaming through the grass, Malick often points his camera their shadows, creating a sense of whimsy and conveying new meanings. What does Malick's infatuation with shadows mean? Is he showing us that these characters are separated from themselves? Is he trying to communicate a unison with nature? Like most of Malick's films, the interpretation is left open to us.
Video Essay: Malick’s Shadows
With Terrence Malick's Song to Song in theaters now, Jacob T. Swinney's video essay looks at a recent motif in the director's films.
Stay in touch
Sign up for our free newsletter
Related Stories
Nobody’s Ever Asked Me That: Avalon Fast
In the final episode of the season, the writer-director of Camp and the forthcoming Drinking and Driving sits down for a conversation about earthquakes, fake time, ego death and more.
Evita, Ballet and How I Became “The Girl Who Broke Her Pussy”
In an excerpt from her memoir Cry for Me, Argentina: Stories From My Messed-Up Life, comedian Tamara Yajia shares an unforgettable (and very unfortunate) moment from her childhood.
Nobody’s Ever Asked Me That: Nicolas Winding Refn
The cinematic iconoclast behind such films as Drive, The Neon Demon and Her Private Hell on Warhol, death, Legos and a whole lot more!
Finding the Revolution Within
Jana Naomi Smith on the very personal journey she had to go on while making her multi-award-winning dramatic podcast Red for Revolution.
Nobody’s Ever Asked Me That: Peter Dreimanis and Leah Fay Goldstein
The July Talk duo, who can be seen starring in the new romantic comedy Middle Life, go deep about life, love, loss, creativity and more.
Out of Print is Back in Print!
Julia Marchese on her movie theater documentary returning 10 years on, and why it’s more resonant than ever.
