Terrence Malick has directed six feature films in a career spanning over four decades. His filmography includes the beloved, “Days of Heaven” and “The Thin Red Line,” as well as his Palme d’Or winner, “The Tree of Life.”
Malick’s filmmaking style is instantly recognizable. Hallmarks “on-screen” include dreamy, hand-held images that are photographed in natural light and accompanied by reflective music and narration. Hallmarks “off-screen” include actors complaining about performances being modified, cut or re-arranged, and whole story arcs disappearing or being re-written in editing.
“To the Wonder” is Malick’s new project. The movie “stars” Ben Affleck, Rachel McAdams and Javier Bardem. To promote the movie, the production has put together a series of behind-the-scenes clips. Malick is not interviewed, but the actor and crew interviews do offer a rare look inside his process.
Interesting things to watch for: 1) Malick’s method with actors and 2) Malick’s technique of casting non-actors.