Leaving a Trace (Film)

“İz Bırakma” (Leave No Trace), a 2018 dramatic feature film, continues the American independent cinema tradition of observational storytelling by focusing on the story of a father and daughter living outside societal norms. Directed by Debra Granik, the film is adapted from Peter Rock’s novel “My Abandonment” and explores themes of the individual’s relationship with systems, the sense of belonging, and the pursuit of freedom within a thematic framework.

Production Credits

The film was shot in the United States of America in 2018 and produced in English. The screenplay, adapted from Peter Rock’s novel of the same title, was written by Debra Granik and Anne Rosellini. The producing team includes Anne Harrison, Linda Reisman and Anne Rosellini, while Jason Cloth, Michael Bloom (XVI), Aaron L. Gilbert, Annie Marter, Adam Pincus, Andrew Pollack and Chris Stinson served as executive producers. The music was composed by Dickon Hinchliffe and supervised by Susan Jacobs. Spanning 109 minutes, the film depicts events set around Portland, Oregon and has been screened at various international film festivals.

Plot Summary

The film centers on the story of Will and his daughter Tom, who live in isolation from society in a large urban park in Portland, Oregon. Will, a former soldier, has withdrawn from society due to trauma experienced in his past. He and his daughter lead a minimalist life deeply connected to nature. However, after being discovered by accident, they come under the scrutiny of social services and are forced to integrate into mainstream society. During this process, Tom’s personal development and Will’s conflict with the system form the central tensions of the narrative.

Thematic Structure

“Leave No Trace” addresses themes such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), social exclusion, individual freedom, and alternative lifestyles rooted in nature. The psychological state of the father, shaped by his wartime experiences, is conveyed through his relationship with his daughter. Nature functions both as a sanctuary and as a boundary. The film portrays the characters’ internal conflicts and their strained relationship with societal systems through a quiet, observational narrative style. As in Granik’s previous works, the film focuses on the stories of marginalized individuals.

Cast