How Terrence Malick made nature the star of the show
What's the story
Terrence Malick, the reclusive master, has changed how nature is shown in Hollywood films. Instead of being just a background, the legendary filmmaker gives it the protagonist's role. In doing so, he breaks all the rules of filmmaking and gives the audience a whole new perspective on humans's relationship with the world around them. Here's how Malick's cinema redefines nature's role with various techniques and storytelling methods.
Film technique
'The Tree of Life' as an example
In The Tree of Life, Malick employs nature to delve into life, death, and existence. The film has long portions depicting natural elements like water, trees, and sky. They aren't just ornamental but evoke emotions and bring forth thoughts about where humanity fits in the universe. By weaving these elements into the fabric of narration, Malick makes nature an active part of storytelling.
Visual style
Cinematic techniques emphasizing nature
Malick's use of specific cinematic techniques to capture the beauty and complexity of nature is something else. His use of wide-angle lenses, for instance, captures sprawling landscapes dwarfing human figures, highlighting their insignificance in the face of nature's expanse. Further, his use of natural lighting adds to the realism and plunges viewers into real environments. These visual choices are a testament to his reverence towards nature.
Auditory experience
Sound design enhances natural elements
Sound design is key to how Malick presents nature on screen. He often includes ambient sounds like rustling leaves or flowing water into the soundscape of his films. This focus on sound diverts attention from dialogue-driven narratives towards more experiential storytelling. Viewers engage with both sight and sound, making it immersive. These enhance connections between audience members themselves, along with what they see unfold visually, too!
Narrative depth
Philosophical themes through nature
Malick's movies are usually philosophical, where nature becomes a metaphor for questions related to our existence. For example, in Days of Heaven, wheat fields represent the growth and decay cycles. They also mirror what the character's battle with fate and destiny looks like. Hence, viewers are invited to think about what the visuals throughout the film's runtime mean.