You may not immediately know the song “On the Nature of Daylight,” when you read its title. But if you’re a film fan, I guarantee you’ve heard it. The Max Richter composition has been used extensively in films since its release in 2004. Will Ferrell’s “Stranger Than Fiction,” “Shutter Island” from director Martin Scorsese, and recently Denis Villeneuve’s film “Arrival” have all used versions of the song to great effect in their work. And now, in honor of a new release of Richter’s album “The Blue Notebooks,” a music video has been created for the song, and it’s incredible.
The new short, starring Elisabeth Moss (“The Handmaid’s Tale”), shows a woman receiving a phone call, and what happens after. On the surface, that sounds dull and uninspired, but paired with the music and Moss’ abilities as an actress, the short film is beautiful, captivating, and touching.
“When I was asked to do this project,” Moss said about the short, “it was a dream come true. My work has been inspired by his music for so many years and not a day goes by on set where I don’t have Max’s music playing in my ears before a take. His music and my acting have gone hand in hand for a long time. So for me the opportunity to act to one of his most prolific pieces was such an incredible honor. Working with George and this entire team was so artistically fulfilling and an experience I will never forget.”
The George that Moss references is George Belfield, the director of the music video. Most recently, Belfield helmed another major music video for the song “Castle on the Hill” for artist Ed Sheeran. “Lizzie perfectly understood what I was trying to communicate,” director Belfield says, “and brought a lot more to the role besides. She and I spent a lot of time developing her character together before the shoot, building her backstory and writing inner monologues for what she would be feeling at different points of her journey,” said Belfield about working with Moss.
“It was very important to me,” Belfield continues, “to try and be faithful to Max’s music, the worldview that it carries, and where he is coming from as an artist.”
If you’re a fan of Richter and want his new edition of “The Blue Notebooks,” it will be released on June 29.
You can take a look at the short below: