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      In the Mirror of Maya Deren

      Released Jan 24, 2003 1h 43m Documentary List
      95% Tomatometer 20 Reviews 87% Audience Score 500+ Ratings Maya Deren was already a respected writer and artist by the time she picked up a film camera and created the groundbreaking avant-garde film "Meshes of the Afternoon." A leading figure in the independent art scene of the 1940s and '50s, Deren would go on to influence a generation of alternative artists. Noted experimental filmmakers like Jonas Mekas and Stan Brakhage, along with Deren's ex-husband, talk about Deren's ambitious nature and the haunting power of her work. Read More Read Less

      Critics Reviews

      View All (20) Critics Reviews
      Jonathan Rosenbaum Chicago Reader It does such a terrific job of showing us what Deren was like that it makes even the notion of a biopic about her seem unnecessary, if not ridiculous. Rated: 4/4 Nov 1, 2003 Full Review Edward Guthmann San Francisco Chronicle Not only celebrates Deren's cinematic legacy but also reveals a gifted talent whose explosive temperament was at odds with the lyrical, dreamlike imagery she put on screen. Rated: 3/4 May 16, 2003 Full Review Janice Page Boston Globe Intimidated by the words 'avant-garde film'? Then hand yourself over, without reservation, to the skills of documentarian Martina Kudlacek and her astonishingly accessible primer, In the Mirror of Maya Deren. Rated: 3.5/4 Feb 14, 2003 Full Review Michael E. Grost Classic Film and Television Informative look at great filmmaker Deren. Dec 27, 2018 Full Review Film Threat Rated: 5/5 Dec 6, 2005 Full Review Emanuel Levy EmanuelLevy.Com Rated: 2/5 Aug 16, 2005 Full Review Read all reviews

      Audience Reviews

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      william k Comprehensive overview of Maya Deren's life and work unveils lesser known aspects of the artist's personality while still presenting sumptuous snippets from her films. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 03/31/23 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 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 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 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 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 out of 5 stars 01/27/23 Full Review Read all reviews Post a rating

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      In the Mirror of Maya Deren

      Scene from the film IN THE MIRROR OF MAYA DEREN. Scene from the film IN THE MIRROR OF MAYA DEREN. Scene from the film IN THE MIRROR OF MAYA DEREN. Scene from the film IN THE MIRROR OF MAYA DEREN. Scene from the film IN THE MIRROR OF MAYA DEREN. Scene from the film IN THE MIRROR OF MAYA DEREN. In the Mirror of Maya Deren (2002) In the Mirror of Maya Deren (2002) In the Mirror of Maya Deren (2002) In the Mirror of Maya Deren (2002) View more photos

      Movie Info

      Synopsis Maya Deren was already a respected writer and artist by the time she picked up a film camera and created the groundbreaking avant-garde film "Meshes of the Afternoon." A leading figure in the independent art scene of the 1940s and '50s, Deren would go on to influence a generation of alternative artists. Noted experimental filmmakers like Jonas Mekas and Stan Brakhage, along with Deren's ex-husband, talk about Deren's ambitious nature and the haunting power of her work.
      Director
      Martina Kudlácek
      Screenwriter
      Martina Kudlácek
      Distributor
      Zeitgeist Films
      Production Co
      Arte, Filmfonds Wien, Dschoint Ventschr Filmproduktion AG
      Genre
      Documentary
      Original Language
      English
      Release Date (Theaters)
      Jan 24, 2003, Original
      Release Date (Streaming)
      Mar 20, 2017
      Box Office (Gross USA)
      $6.0K
      Runtime
      1h 43m
      Sound Mix
      Stereo, Surround