In the Mirror of Maya Deren

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Richard B A good introduction to Maya Deren. She was influenced by studies of the unconscious, dreams and stream of consciousness studies. Her work on Voodoo trances and the ability to expand the personality to take in aspects of deities fit well with the psychology of the times. Rated 3.5/5 Stars •  Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 05/20/25 Full Review Audience Member There's less analysis and more character judgment than I would have hoped in this documentary about the famed experimental filmmaker who began work in the 1940s. However, the recordings of her own lectures do add to a viewer's understanding of some of her work. The talking heads are also well chosen (co-director and ex-husband Alexander Hammid, Jonas Mekas, Stan Brakhage, Katherine Dunham, Chao Li Chi, Amos Vogel). Of course, I wouldn't recommend this to those who haven't seen Deren's films - it's kind of like reading a book review without reading the book! Nevertheless, the brief clips of Meshes of the Afternoon (1943), At Land (1946), Meditation on Violence (1949), and The Very Eye of Night (1958) proved these films to be as beguiling as ever and an influence on so much which came afterward. Kudlácek's documentary is certainly well put together, dutifully reviewing Deren's life, from immigration at age 5 to privileged upbringing, beginnings in Los Angeles, and then the bohemian art life in Greenwich Village with some intermittent visits to Haiti where she became infatuated with Vodoun and the music and culture of the people there (resulting in a book and subsequent footage). In retrospect, Kudlácek probably made the most engaging film possible (barring full inclusion of Deren's own shorts) with the materials at hand and the lengthy time that had passed. I guess I'm always hungering for something deeper, a key to unlock everything, which will never just be handed over -- and that's probably for the best, since mystery is at the heart of Deren's work. Rated 3/5 Stars •  Rated 3 out of 5 stars 02/04/23 Full Review Audience Member An engaging portrait of experimental filmmaker Maya Deren, the doc gives a capable introduction to her films. The emphasis here is on Deren's personal story, and so the interviews skew that direction, virtually (if not) all of them with people who knew Deren. Some critical reflection on what makes her films important or well-loved would have been nice, but the doc is solid as is. Rated 3.5/5 Stars •  Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 01/26/23 Full Review Audience Member Intermittently fascinating. Too much "filmmaking" and not enough documenting. But some great interviews with contemporaries, and the extras include footage from aborted projects. Rated 3.5/5 Stars •  Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 02/10/23 Full Review Audience Member Fascinating, not just because I had no idea she existed but because it also shows how nutty all these avant types truly are (which makes sense). Rated 4/5 Stars •  Rated 4 out of 5 stars 01/19/23 Full Review Audience Member An enjoyable documentary about a filmmaker i would have otherwise not been aware of. I was browsing Zeitgeist's releases, and found this one. Needless to say, it was informative, thought-provoking, and strangely sensual. Rated 3.5/5 Stars •  Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 01/27/23 Full Review Read all reviews

In the Mirror of Maya Deren

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