New Movies: OffScreen, The Shadows (2025) by Anna Dubosc & Gustavo de Mattos John: A Dual-Voiced Diary of Love and Art
- dailyentertainment95
- Jul 12
- 10 min read
Core Summary: An Intimate Cinematic Journey
OffScreen, The Shadows (2025), originally titled Hors-champ, les ombres, is a French documentary film co-directed by Anna Dubosc and Gustavo de Mattos John. The film unfolds as a "diary in two voices," following a writer and a filmmaker (likely the directors themselves) on a journey to Italy. Through their shared observations and reflections, the documentary intimately explores the complexities of love and relationships, interweaving these personal themes with the broader subjects of literature, cinema, and the evocative landscapes of Italy, particularly focusing on the "pink stones of the spaces to inhabit." It's a personal, contemplative film that blurs the lines between lived experience, artistic creation, and the unspoken emotions that exist just "off-screen."
Summary Short: OffScreen, The Shadows (2025) is a French documentary by Anna Dubosc and Gustavo de Mattos John, presented as a dual-voiced diary of a writer and filmmaker's trip to Italy, exploring love, art, and landscapes.
OffScreen, The Shadows (2025) is an intimate French documentary by Anna Dubosc and Gustavo de Mattos John. It's a "diary in two voices" about a writer and filmmaker's trip to Italy, interweaving themes of love, art, and the evocative Italian landscape.
Link to watch (industry professionals): https://pro.festivalscope.com/film/hors-champs-les-ombres
Detailed Summary: The Unseen Layers of Connection
OffScreen, The Shadows offers a unique and introspective look into the creative and personal lives of its subjects, blurring the boundaries of traditional documentary filmmaking.
Dual Perspective: The central conceit of the film is its presentation as a "diary in two voices." This suggests a layered narrative where both the writer and the filmmaker (Anna Dubosc and Gustavo de Mattos John are credited as writers and directors, and appear as "Self" in the cast) contribute their individual perspectives, thoughts, and feelings, creating a rich tapestry of shared and distinct experiences.
A Journey Through Italy: The setting of Italy, specifically referencing "pink stones of the spaces to inhabit," implies a focus on architectural beauty, historical depth, and the sensory experience of living within these landscapes. The "trip to Italy" is not just a backdrop but an integral part of the film's observational and reflective nature.
Intertwined Themes: The synopsis explicitly states that "the desire and the difficulty of love are intertwined with literature, cinema, landscapes and the pink stones of the spaces to inhabit." This highlights the film's ambition to connect personal romantic experiences with artistic endeavors and environmental influences, suggesting a holistic exploration of human connection and creative process.
Self-Reflexive Filmmaking: Given that the directors are also the subjects and writers, the film is inherently self-reflexive. It likely explores the very act of documentation, the subjective nature of memory, and how personal relationships influence artistic output, and vice-versa. The title "OffScreen, The Shadows" hints at the unspoken, the unseen, or the subconscious elements that influence what is captured on camera or written down.
Genre as "Documentary": Categorized as a documentary, it suggests an authentic, non-fictional approach to its subjects, even if the "diary" format allows for a more poetic and interpretive style than a traditional observational documentary.
Contemplative Tone: The focus on "desire and difficulty of love," "literature," and "cinema" within a diary format points to a contemplative and philosophical tone, inviting viewers to reflect on their own experiences with relationships and creativity.
OffScreen, The Shadows promises to be an intimate, artful, and thought-provoking cinematic diary that explores the profound connections between human emotions, artistic expression, and the environments we inhabit.
Director's Vision: Anna Dubosc & Gustavo de Mattos John's Poetic Gaze
Anna Dubosc and Gustavo de Mattos John, as co-directors and apparent subjects of OffScreen, The Shadows, envision an intimate, poetic, and multi-layered exploration of personal and artistic lives.
Intimacy Through Dual Narration: Their vision centers on telling a story through a "diary in two voices," aiming for a deep level of intimacy and subjectivity. This allows for a nuanced portrayal of a relationship, showcasing both harmony and discord, and the unique perspectives each individual brings to shared experiences.
Blurring Art and Life: The directors intend to seamlessly intertwine the personal journey (love, relationship difficulties) with the creative process (literature, filmmaking). This suggests a vision where life informs art and art, in turn, reflects on and shapes life, making the film itself an embodiment of this interconnectedness.
The Unseen and Unspoken: The title OffScreen, The Shadows (or Hors-champ, les ombres) strongly suggests a directorial interest in what lies beneath the surface, the unspoken emotions, the unconscious motivations, and the background elements that subtly influence visible reality. This points to a contemplative and subtly revealing approach rather than overt exposition.
Sensory and Evocative Landscapes: By focusing on "landscapes and the pink stones of the spaces to inhabit" in Italy, the directors aim to use the environment as more than just a backdrop. It's envisioned as an active participant in the emotional and creative journey, with visual and atmospheric qualities contributing to the film's overall mood and thematic depth.
Experimental Documentary Form: The film's nature as a "diary" and its intimate, reflective tone position it within a more experimental or essayistic documentary tradition, where the personal subjective experience is paramount.
Themes: Love and Relationships, Artistic Process, The Subjectivity of Experience, Landscape as Character, Memory and Reflection, The Unseen/Unspoken
Love and Relationships: The "desire and difficulty of love" are central, exploring the complexities of human connection.
Artistic Process and Inspiration: The intertwining of literature and cinema directly addresses how art is created and influenced by lived experience.
The Subjectivity of Experience: The "diary in two voices" emphasizes that reality is perceived differently by individuals, even when shared.
Landscape as Character: The Italian landscapes, particularly the "pink stones," play an active role in the emotional and artistic narrative.
Memory and Reflection: The diary format inherently suggests a reflective process, looking back on experiences and their meaning.
The Unseen/Unspoken (Off-Screen): The title itself suggests a theme of what lies beneath the surface, the subtle influences and hidden emotions that shape life and art.
Key Success Factors: Intimate Narrative, Poetic Approach, and Festival Appeal
Intimate & Relatable Narrative: Despite its artistic approach, the core theme of "love and its difficulties" is universally relatable.
Unique Dual Perspective: The "diary in two voices" format offers a fresh and engaging way to explore a relationship.
Strong Festival Potential: Its contemplative, artistic nature, combined with a focus on filmmaking and literature, makes it a strong candidate for international film festivals.
Evocative Setting: The beauty of Italy provides a rich visual and atmospheric backdrop for the personal journey.
Artistic Credibility: The directors (who are also the subjects) bring an inherent authenticity and personal touch to the material.
Summary Short: A Concise Takeaway
Anna Dubosc and Gustavo de Mattos John's OffScreen, The Shadows (2025) is an intimate, dual-voiced documentary diary exploring love, art, and the Italian landscape, promising a contemplative and poetic cinematic experience primarily for film festival audiences.
Awards & Nominations, Emerging on the Festival Scene
Summary: "OffScreen, The Shadows" is a very recent documentary. Its festival journey is just beginning, and while specific major awards aren't yet widely reported, its nature suggests it will gain traction in specialized and experimental film circuits.
No Major Awards or Nominations Widely Reported Yet:
As a 2025 release, comprehensive award data is still emerging. Documentary films often build their acclaim through dedicated festival circuits. Its selection for any film festivals will be the primary indicator of early recognition. Information specifically about major awards for this film is not yet readily available.
Production Summary: French Documentary Set in Italy
OffScreen, The Shadows (2025), originally titled Hors-champ, les ombres, is a documentary film with a runtime of 61 minutes. It is a French production, co-directed by Anna Dubosc and Gustavo de Mattos John, who also serve as writers and are likely the primary subjects (credited as "Self"). Other cast members include Alli Papes and Fabrice Dubosc. The film is in French and Portuguese languages and is in color. Its World Premiere is scheduled for July 2025 at FIDMarseille.
Release Date on Streaming: Not Announced
A specific streaming release date for OffScreen, The Shadows has not been announced. Any streaming release would likely follow its festival run.
Theatrical Release: July 2025 (World Premiere at FIDMarseille)
OffScreen, The Shadows is scheduled for its World Premiere on July 10, 2025, at FIDMarseille in France. Beyond this festival screening, widespread theatrical release details are not yet available.
Why to Recommend this Movie: For a Meditative and Artistic Experience
Fans of Experimental Documentaries: Recommend to viewers who appreciate non-traditional, poetic, and intimate documentary filmmaking that blurs the lines between art and life.
Art-House and Independent Film Enthusiasts: Ideal for audiences seeking thought-provoking and contemplative cinema that prioritizes introspection and artistic expression over conventional narrative.
Lovers of European Cinema and Italian Landscapes: For those who enjoy films that celebrate the beauty of European settings, particularly Italy, and integrate them into a personal journey.
Anyone Interested in the Creative Process: Appealing to viewers curious about the interplay between love, personal experience, and artistic creation (literature, filmmaking).
Why to Watch Movie: To Reflect on Love, Art, and the Unseen
Experience a Unique Narrative Format: Engage with a film told as a "diary in two voices," offering a layered and intimate perspective.
Immerse Yourself in Poetic Storytelling: Appreciate a film that prioritizes atmosphere, reflection, and artistic expression over explicit plot.
Discover the Beauty of Italy Through a Personal Lens: Enjoy evocative cinematography that makes the landscape an emotional character.
Ponder the Intersections of Life and Art: Reflect on how personal relationships and experiences profoundly influence creative output and vice versa.
Movie Trend: Personal Essay Films and Intimate Documentaries
OffScreen, The Shadows fits squarely within the burgeoning trend of personal essay films and intimate documentaries. These films often feature the filmmakers themselves as subjects, using highly subjective perspectives, reflective narration, and unconventional structures to explore personal experiences, relationships, and the creative process. This trend moves away from purely objective documentary styles towards a more introspective and artful approach.
Big Social Trend: The Pursuit of Authenticity and Self-Reflection in a Digital Age
In an era saturated with curated online personas, OffScreen, The Shadows taps into the social trend of a yearning for authenticity and deep self-reflection. The "diary in two voices" approach, focusing on the "desire and difficulty of love" and the interplay with art, reflects a desire to explore the unfiltered complexities of human experience. This stands in contrast to the often superficial interactions of digital life, offering a more profound and intimate engagement with the inner lives of individuals and their creative journeys.
Final Conclusions: An Intimate and Artful Cinematic Dialogue
OffScreen, The Shadows stands as an intimate and artful cinematic dialogue, gracefully co-directed by Anna Dubosc and Gustavo de Mattos John. Through its distinctive "diary in two voices" format, the film promises a poetic and introspective journey that intertwines the complexities of love, the nuanced process of artistic creation (literature and cinema), and the evocative beauty of Italian landscapes. Positioned as an art-house documentary, it will primarily appeal to audiences at film festivals and those who appreciate experimental and contemplative filmmaking, offering a unique lens through which to reflect on the unseen influences and profound connections that shape our lives and our art.
Recommendations for Film Makers: Crafting Personal and Poetic Narratives
Embrace the Subjective and Intimate: OffScreen, The Shadows exemplifies how a deeply personal and subjective approach can resonate. Filmmakers should consider telling stories through a unique, intimate lens, utilizing unconventional narrative structures like diaries or fragmented perspectives to explore the inner lives and relationships of their characters, fostering a profound connection with the audience.
Elevate Landscape Beyond Background: The film treats the Italian landscapes as an integral part of the emotional and artistic journey. Filmmakers should aim to integrate their shooting locations as active "characters" within their narrative, allowing the environment's visual and atmospheric qualities to influence mood, symbolize themes, or even drive character development, rather than merely serving as a backdrop.
Explore Self-Reflexive Storytelling: Given the directors are also subjects, the film inherently explores the act of filmmaking itself. Filmmakers can consider incorporating self-reflexive elements that examine the creative process, the relationship between artist and subject, or the very nature of truth and representation in cinema, adding layers of intellectual engagement to their work.
Prioritize Emotional and Thematic Depth Over Conventional Plot: OffScreen, The Shadows focuses on emotions, art, and philosophical inquiry over a linear plot. Filmmakers should recognize that compelling cinema doesn't always require a traditional narrative arc; sometimes, a focus on thematic richness, emotional resonance, and a contemplative pace can create a powerful and lasting impact, particularly in the documentary and art-house genres.
Recommendations for Movie Industry: Nurturing Authentic and Artistic Voices
Invest in and Nurture Authentic Artistic Voices: The industry should actively seek out and support filmmakers like Anna Dubosc and Gustavo de Mattos John who bring a unique, personal vision to their projects. Prioritizing auteur-driven documentaries and experimental films can enrich the cinematic landscape, offering diverse perspectives and pushing the boundaries of storytelling beyond mainstream commercial imperatives.
Champion Niche and Festival-Oriented Content: Films like OffScreen, The Shadows often find their primary audience within the festival circuit. The industry should continue to provide platforms and distribution channels specifically for art-house and contemplative documentaries, recognizing their critical importance, cultural value, and ability to attract discerning audiences, even if traditional box office figures are not the main measure of success.
Support Cross-Genre and Interdisciplinary Approaches: This film blends elements of personal diary, travelogue, and artistic reflection. The industry can foster innovation by encouraging projects that transcend rigid genre classifications and draw inspiration from multiple artistic disciplines (e.g., literature, visual arts), leading to more unique and thought-provoking cinematic experiences.
Promote Deeper Engagement with Film as Art: In an age of rapid consumption, films like OffScreen, The Shadows invite reflection. The industry should explore ways to cultivate a culture of deeper engagement with cinema as an art form, through curated screenings, post-film discussions, and educational resources, to help audiences appreciate and understand more contemplative and experimental works.
Final Verdict: A Poetic Cinematic Diary
OffScreen, The Shadows (2025), directed by Anna Dubosc and Gustavo de Mattos Jahn, is a French documentary that offers an intimate and reflective "diary in two voices" about a writer and a filmmaker's journey to Italy. The film intricately weaves together themes of love, the challenges and desires inherent in relationships, and their connection to literature, cinema, and the landscapes they inhabit, particularly the evocative "pink stones" of Italian spaces. As a very recent 2025 release, information on specific major awards or widespread critical/audience reviews is still emerging. However, its synopsis points to an experimental and contemplative cinematic experience, likely appealing to audiences and critics who appreciate art-house documentaries that blur the lines between personal memoir and artistic exploration. The film's strength is anticipated to lie in its unique dual perspective, its poetic approach to everyday observation, and its deep dive into the creative process intertwined with the human experience of love and place. "OffScreen, The Shadows" promises to be a thoughtful and visually engaging journey for those seeking a more introspective and artistically driven cinematic encounter.
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