These Amazing Shadows is a 2011
documentary film which tells the history and importance of the
National Film Registry, a roll call of
American cinema treasures that reflects the diversity of film, and indeed the American experience itself.
The documentary was directed by Paul Mariano and Kurt Norton and was an official selection of the 2011
Sundance Film Festival in the Documentary Premieres category.
These Amazing Shadows is distributed under the
Independent Film Channel (IFC) brand, Sundance Selects, and was broadcast on the American television
PBS series,
Independent Lens, on December 29, 2011.[1]
Graphic design and motion graphics by Brian Oakes of New York City. Oakes was assisted by motion graphics artist Natella Kataev. Brian Oakes directed, JIM: The James Foley Story (2016).
Cinematographer Frazer Bradshaw director of photography credits include the documentary, Babies and Informant. Bradshaw directed, Everything Strange and New, which was nominated for a 2011
Independent Spirit Awards for Best First Feature and a 2009
Gotham Awards for Breakthrough Director; won the 2009 CineVision Award, 2009 Marlon Riggs Award and 2009 San Francisco International Film Festival
FIPRESCI Prize.
Co-editor Alex Calleros is part owner of the film production company, Finite Films, along with Michael Tucker and Ryan McDuffie. Calleros was the lead editor on the documentary, Being George Clooney (2016).
Color grading by Chris Martin of SpyPost, San Francisco, California.
Post production supervisor by Matt Radecki of Different by Design, Los Angeles, California.
Legal services by
Michael C. Donaldson of Donaldson & Callif, Los Angeles, California.
Sound re-recording by Laurence A. Ellis, C.A.S. of MaxPost, Los Angeles, California.
These Amazing Shadows trailer was cut by Stephen Garrett of Kinetic Trailers of New York City.
Production Stills Gallery
Barbara Kopple, director of Harlan County, USA, is interviewed by Paul Mariano. Barbara is the winner of two Oscars for Best Documentary. Harlan County, USA was selected to the National Film Registry in 1990.
Tim Roth (center), star of Lie to Me, is wired for sound by PA Travis Rexroat while co-director Paul Mariano looks on.
(right to left) Past Librarian of Congress James H. Billington, Sheryl Cannady, Library of Congress Media Relations and Paul Mariano, co-director of These Amazing Shadows.
Patrick Loughney, Chief of the Library of Congress
Packard Campus for Audio-Visual Conservation in Culpeper, Virginia is interviewed by These Amazing Shadows co-director Kurt Norton.
Peter Golub (Countdown to Zero) scored These Amazing Shadows during the fall of 2010. The music was performed by the
City of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra (conducted byRichard Hein) and recorded at the Smecky Studios in Prague, Czech Republic.
The score was orchestrated by Peter Golub and Philip Klein, edited by Scott Johnson, contracted by Ted Hinkley, recorded by Michael Pekarek and the music preparation was done by Nicholas Greer. Mr. Golub was assisted in Prague by Czech translator, Staniaslave Vomacko.
Track listing
All tracks written and composed by Peter Golub.
These Amazing Shadows: Music from the Motion Picture
Best Documentary Savannah Film Festival 2011 - December 2011[31]
Best Documentary Louisville's International Festival of Film 2011 - December 2011[32]
Reception
The film holds a 75% approval rating from critics on Review aggregator
Rotten Tomatoes based on 12 reviews.[33]
David Rooney of
The Hollywood Reporter gave it a positive review, and wrote this "inspiring documentary makes an illuminating case for this vital institution as America’s time capsule and family album."[34]