National Film Vault

FILM NOTES

DreamWorks Animation released Shrek in May 2001, marking a turning point for computer-animated feature films and offering a sharp, irreverent counterpoint to the fairy-tale conventions that had defined the genre. Directed by Andrew Adamson and Vicky Jenson, the film became a cultural landmark and a commercial phenomenon, launching one of animation's most enduring franchises while demonstrating that CGI storytelling could carry genuine wit and emotional weight.

This cell, titled Shrek, presents three consecutive frames from a close-up shot of Shrek himself, his gaze directed downward against a rocky, earthy outdoor backdrop. The near-identical framing across all three frames reflects the continuity of a held moment, preserving a quiet, contemplative expression from the film's central character in 35mm.