Meshes of the Afternoon
dir. Maya Deren · 1943
Life is a complex interplay of dreams and reality, where our inner desires shape our perception of existence.
Feature
Psychological Horror
Mood
Dark / Contemplative
Look
surrealist black-and-white, hauntingly atmospheric
Structure
circular and non-linear
Plot
A woman returning home falls asleep and has vivid dreams that may or may not be happening in reality. Through repetitive images and complete mismatching of the objective view of time and space, her dark inner desires play out on-screen.
Why watch
"Dive into the dreamscape of 'Meshes of the Afternoon,' where reality blurs with the subconscious in a haunting exploration of desire and identity. This landmark film invites viewers to question their perceptions, making it a quintessential experience for those drawn to the depths of the human psyche."
Cultural context
post-war existentialismrise of avant-garde cinemafeminist artistic movementspsychological exploration in art