Fox Searchlight has released the first trailer for writer/directorTerrence Malick’s new filmA Hidden Life. The historical drama is based on the true story of Franz Jägerstätter, an Austrian farmer and devout Catholic who refused to fight for the Nazis during World War II and was subsequently punished.
While Malick had previously gained a reputation of making few yet tremendous films likeDays of Heaven,The Thin Red Line, andThe Tree of Life, he went on a tear in the 2010s churning out a number of stream-of-consciousness films to varied results. Nothing seemed to match the otherworldly heights of his previous movies, but whenA Hidden Lifepremiered at Cannes earlier this year, the movie was hailed as Malick’s best film in a long while.
The trailer here is classic Malick. The short lenses, handheld camera, meandering shots of nature. While the filmmaker had a fruitful relationship with cinematographerEmmanuel Lubezkiin his previous films, forA Hidden Lifehe’s working with DPJörg Widmer, who served as a camera operator on many of Malick’s 2010s films.
There are no A-list stars to be found inA Hidden Lifeas there were inKnight of CupsorSong to Song, but you probably recognize starAugust DiehlfromInglourious Basterds. As a fan of Malick’s work (I likeTo the Wonder!) I was enthused to hear he may be back on his game with this new movie, and I can’t wait to see what the filmmaker has put together when this one hits theaters.
A Hidden Lifewill continue to play the festival circuit this fall before Fox Searchlight releases the film in theaters on December 13th. Check out theA Hidden Lifetrailer and poster below, which first debuted onIndiewire, andclick here to read our reviewfrom Cannes.
Here’s the official synopsis forA Hidden Life:
Based on real events, from visionary writer-director Terrence Malick, A HIDDEN LIFE is the story of an unsung hero, Franz Jägerstätter, who refused to fight for the Nazis in World War II. When the Austrian peasant farmer is faced with the threat of execution for treason, it is his unwavering faith and his love for his wife Fani and children that keeps his spirit alive.
