Watch Meshes of the Afternoon

Meshes of the Afternoon is a critically acclaimed experimental short film released in 1943, and is widely considered as one of the most iconic films in the history of avant-garde cinema. Co-directed and co-written by Maya Deren and her husband Alexander Hammid, Meshes of the Afternoon is a surrealistic and deeply psychological work of art that questions the very nature of human perception and reality.

The film opens with a close-up of a face, with the camera lingering on the subject’s eye, which then proceeds to metamorphose into a flower. This opening sequence establishes the surrealistic and dream-like nature of the film. We follow an unnamed woman played by Maya Deren, as she explores the strange and labyrinthine world of her own subconscious.

Throughout the duration of the film, the woman repeatedly encounters a set of iconic and symbolic objects, including a key, a knife, a flower, and a telephone. Each of these objects represent a different aspect of the woman’s psyche, and are imbued with a deep and profound symbolism that carries through the entire film. Through her encounters with these objects, the woman is forced to confront her own fears, desires, and anxieties head-on.

One of the most striking visual motifs in the film is the use of mirrors, which are often used to reflect and distort the woman’s image. The use of mirrors serves to reinforce the film’s theme of distorted perception and the fluidity of reality. The mirrors also serve as a metaphor for the way that the woman’s own psyche reflects and refracts her innermost desires and fears.

Another recurring image in the film is that of the spiral, which represents the cyclical nature of life and death. The spiral serves as a visual representation of the way that the woman is trapped in a never-ending cycle of self-reflection and self-realization. There is a strong sense of circularity to the film, as the woman moves through the dream-like landscape, encountering the same objects and scenarios multiple times from different angles and perspectives.

Overall, Meshes of the Afternoon is a masterful and highly influential work of avant-garde cinema. It is a deeply symbolic and introspective film that forces the viewer to question their own perceptions of reality and the nature of human consciousness. The film blends together elements of surrealism, psychology, and existential philosophy, resulting in a work of art that is as visually stunning as it is intellectually engaging.

The film’s use of non-linear storytelling and dream-like imagery inspired a generation of filmmakers and artists, and remains a landmark in the history of avant-garde cinema. Maya Deren’s groundbreaking work paved the way for other experimental filmmakers to explore the deep and complex terrain of the human psyche and the nature of reality, and her legacy continues to influence filmmakers to this day.

Meshes of the Afternoon is a must-see for anyone interested in the history of cinema or avant-garde art. It is a film that rewards repeated viewings, with each viewing revealing new levels of meaning and depth. The imagery and symbolism of the film continues to resonate with audiences decades after its initial release, cementing its place as one of the most important works of cinema ever created.

Meshes of the Afternoon is a 1943 mystery with a runtime of 14 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.8.