Before Jeff Nichols took the indie film world (with Take Shelter) by storm—both literally and figuratively—he made his mark with Shotgun Stories (premiered at the Berlinale in 2007), a poignant tragi-drama about a fractured family that descends into quiet, simmering violence. Both portraits showcased Nichols’ ability to weave complex family dynamics with understated tension. In just under two decades, the Little Rock, Arkansas native has steadily built a compelling body of work, delivering six feature films that blend Americana with intimate portraits of home and family. His characters range from outsiders and outlaws to ordinary individuals simply striving to carve out a space for themselves in the world.…...