top of page

Viewing: Meshes of the Afternoon

Updated: Feb 10, 2023



A 1943 short, silent film by Maya Deren and Alexandr Hackenschmied is a surrealist film that uses experimental techniques to create its visuals.


Watching a film in complete and utter silence was a whole other experience for me, it allowed you to picture the sounds and the emotions you should be feeling in your head, perhaps that was the point of it? For the first few minutes you are unable to see the woman's face, perhaps indicating that you should look at yourself within the film.


As the film goes on, I got a stronger indication of a narrative, perhaps not a solid one, but one you can perhaps make up on your own accord by viewing.


To me, it felt like you were the following the dream of the woman and it was almost as if she was repeating the same dream multiple times in order to get the 'correct' ending, or the ending the dreamer wants. Theres are almost points where it is unknown whether or not the dreamer is awake or asleep, even at the ending where it seems the dreamer is actually 'dead.'


I feel that this film is yours to interpret and is less forceful and 'in your face' as other surrealist films, it feels more subtle in its reveal and process, a lot easier to digest and yet still containing that uneasy feeling behind it.


3 views0 comments

Comments


bottom of page