David Lowery's 'A Ghost Story': A Poetic Meditation on Time and Loss
David Lowery's 2017 film 'A Ghost Story' follows a young couple, M and C, living in a suburban house. C dies in a car accident and returns as a ghost, haunting the home he refused to leave. The film, shot in a nostalgic 4:3 aspect ratio with minimal dialogue and long static shots, explores themes of grief, time, and impermanence. Lowery, known for 'Ain't Them Bodies Saints' (2013), draws influence from Asian cinema (Tsai Ming-liang, Kim Ki-duk) and Terrence Malick. Cinematography by Andrew Droz Palermo creates ethereal landscapes. A pivotal monologue by Will Oldham (Bonnie 'Prince' Billy) articulates the film's nihilistic core: human creations are ephemeral against cosmic time. The film premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in January 2017 and was released in the US in July 2017. It stars Casey Affleck as C and Rooney Mara as M.
Key facts
- David Lowery directed 'A Ghost Story' in 2017.
- The film is 92 minutes long and blends drama with fantasy.
- Casey Affleck plays the ghost C, Rooney Mara plays M.
- The film opens with a quote from Virginia Woolf's 'A Haunted House'.
- Cinematography by Andrew Droz Palermo uses a 4:3 aspect ratio.
- Will Oldham delivers a monologue on nihilism.
- Influences include Tsai Ming-liang, Kim Ki-duk, and Terrence Malick.
- The film premiered at Sundance in January 2017.
Entities
Artists
- David Lowery
- Casey Affleck
- Rooney Mara
- Andrew Droz Palermo
- Will Oldham
- Bonnie 'Prince' Billy
- Tsai Ming-liang
- Kim Ki-duk
- Terrence Malick
- Virginia Woolf
- Giulia Pezzoli
Institutions
- Artribune
- Fondazione Querini Stampalia
- 50th Venice Biennale
- Centro d'Arte Contemporanea di Villa Manin
- MAMbo
Locations
- USA
- Bologna
- Italy
- Venice