National Film Vault

FILM NOTES

Shrek was released by DreamWorks Animation in May 2001, arriving at a moment when computer-generated feature filmmaking was still defining its possibilities. The film challenged the conventions of the fairy tale genre with irreverent humor and genuine emotional depth, earning the first Academy Award for Best Animated Feature and establishing DreamWorks as a serious force in animation alongside Pixar.

This cell captures three consecutive frames from a single extreme close-up shot of Shrek, filmed from below as he gazes downward against what appears to be a rocky outdoor setting. The tight framing and low angle give the sequence an unusual intimacy, isolating the character's face in a way rarely seen across the film's wider compositions. Presented in the original 35mm format.