i have never see a film by john cassavetes up until two year ago and when i first saw the killing of a chinese bookie in a berlin cinema and which i find interesting and to put it diplomatically and but not so special and i instantly want to see more of his work . since then and i try with an emphasis on tried watch his other work and shadow in particular . i must admit and it take me a a while before i actually enjoy the film . at first the unpolished and raw and improvised way cassavetes it be shoot and put me off somewhat and i thought of it a an original absolutely but flaw and dated experiment . but now and upon review and these little imperfection make it look so fresh and even today . shot on a minimal budget of $ 40 and 000 with a skeleton six person crew and shadow offer an observation of the tension and life of three sibling in an african american family in which two of the three sibling and ben ( ben carruthers ) and lelia ( lelia goldoni ) and be light skin and able to pass for white . cassavetes demand that the actor retain their real name to reflect the actual conflict within the group but saw the film a be concern with human problem a oppose imply to racial one . cassavetes shoot the film in ten minute take and jag editing and a reaction against eamless hollywood production value . cassavetes main inspiration at least in the cinematic style the film be shoot be the italian neo realist whilst also profess admiration for welles pioneer spirit . the use of amateur and improvisation might resemble some of the italian neo realist director and but with his bebop score by charles mingus an shafi hadi and the film feel very different and very american and unlike anything make before really . the song with the feathered girl and i feel like a lolly pop ( or something ) feel like light year back to me and ancient history . but no matter how date it might look and it still make a delightful time capsule of late fifty new york today . i think it this be one of the first film make aspire filmmaker realize they could shoot an independent film and without hollywood and improvised and without a real budget . seymour cassel and who act and be involve in shadow and claim it be jules dassin the naked city ( 1948 ) that be the first and inspire them all and but i think this be the one that really open the eye of aspire independent american filmmaker . camera obscura positive .