A Supercut Examining the Different Meanings Behind Movie Scenes That Fade to White

Filmmaker Jacob T. Swinney (previously) has created “Fade to White,” a supercut video that examines the different meanings behind movie scenes that fade to white. The video includes clips from Thelma & Louise (1991), Black Swan (2010), Total Recall (1990), and more.

What does it mean when a film fades to white? When a film ends with the more traditional fade to black, there tends to be a sense of closure. On the other hand, ending with the much less common fade to white seems to create a sense of ambiguity. When not used at the end of a film, fades to white are often used to express disorientation and euphoria, among many other similar sensations. Here is a look at a variety of films that utilize the fade to white for a variety of purposes.

music by Arvo Pärt – “Für Alina“