Tracing Light

Tracing Light is a documentary that examines the nature of light and how it shapes human perception of the world. Triggered by observing rainbow patterns in his own home, filmmaker Thomas Riedelsheimer explores the intersection of art and physics to understand light as a material. The film travels from the Outer Hebrides in Scotland to research centers at the University of Glasgow and the Max Planck Institute in Erlangen. Through the perspectives of scientists and artists, the narrative investigates quantum theory, photon behavior, and the visual construction of reality.

Thomas Riedelsheimer wrote and directed the film, which he also produced alongside Sonja Henrici. The production is a collaboration between Germany and the United Kingdom, involving production companies such as ZDF, 3sat, Filmpunkt, and Sonja Henrici Creates. The cast features several individuals appearing as themselves, including Ruth Jarman, Joe Gerhardt, Julie Brook, Johannes Brunner, and Raimund Ritz. The final film has a runtime of 99 minutes.