Naos (2022)

A luminous 12-minute meditation by Nathaniel Dorsky, in which a young filmmaker named Jacob becomes the sacred center of a deeply personal cinematic offering.

Naos - Movie Information

  • Original Title: Naos
  • Release Year: 2022
  • Directed by: Nathaniel Dorsky
  • Type: Movie
  • Runtime: 12m
  • Original Language: No Language
  • Spoken Languages: No Language
  • Production Countries: United States of America

Naos - Plot

A Naos is the inner room of an ancient Greek temple in which the image of the deity celebrated by that temple is depicted (usually in the form of a statue of that deity). Jacob, a young filmmaker, offered to help me with some shooting and became the center of the film itself. N.D.

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Naos - Cast & Crew

Director(s)

  • Nathaniel Dorsky

Naos - FAQs

What is Naos about?

Naos is a short experimental film by Nathaniel Dorsky. The title refers to the inner sanctuary of an ancient Greek temple where a deity's image resides. Young filmmaker Jacob volunteered to help with the shoot and gradually became the living center of the film itself, embodying that sacred, contemplative space.

Who directed Naos?

Naos was directed by Nathaniel Dorsky, a celebrated American avant-garde filmmaker and cinematographer known for his meditative, silent short films. Dorsky has been a defining voice in experimental cinema for decades, and Naos continues his deeply personal, visually lyrical approach to filmmaking.

When was Naos released?

Naos had its release on July 26, 2022. The film is a short work running just 12 minutes, characteristic of Nathaniel Dorsky's practice of crafting intimate, concentrated cinematic experiences that reward patient, attentive viewing.

How long is Naos?

Naos runs for 12 minutes. Like much of Nathaniel Dorsky's work, it is a short film — but one that uses every minute with intention. Its brevity is part of its power, creating a focused, almost ritualistic viewing experience that lingers well beyond its runtime.

What does the title Naos mean?

A naos is the innermost chamber of an ancient Greek temple — the sacred room housing the statue or image of the deity the temple honors. Dorsky uses this architectural metaphor to frame Jacob, the young filmmaker at the heart of the film, as a kind of living sacred presence.

Is Naos a silent film?

Yes, Naos is a silent film — consistent with Nathaniel Dorsky's broader body of work, which typically eschews dialogue and conventional sound in favor of pure visual poetry. The absence of spoken language is intentional, inviting viewers into a contemplative, almost meditative relationship with the images on screen.

What are films similar to Naos?

If Naos resonates with you, consider exploring The Eight Mountains (2022), Retablo (2018), Out in the Open (2019), and Linoleum (2023) — films that share a contemplative, visually rich sensibility. The Ballad of Buster Scruggs (2018) and 14 Peaks: Nothing Is Impossible (2021) also offer distinctive, artistically ambitious perspectives.

Where was Naos filmed?

Naos is a United States production, and given Nathaniel Dorsky's long association with San Francisco — where he has lived and worked for many years — the film is most likely rooted in that city's light and environment, which has shaped so much of his distinctive visual practice.

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