1. Maya Deren’s: “Meshes of the Afternoon” Carla R. Vargas Fuster José Rodríguez Irizarry Mariana Monclova

2. Maya Deren (1917-1961): “Mother of the Underground film” Born in 1917 in Ukraine Trained in dancing and poetry Studied literature in Columbia University Significant figure in the development of the “underground film”

3. Surrealism: Influence on film Privilege of dream over reality Onirism Elements of surprise, juxtapositions (Reality and Unconsciousness) Influences on cinema: Luis Buñuel and Salvador Dalí (Un chienandalou, L’Age d’Or)

4. Meshes Afternoon: Themes Dream vs Reality vs Dual Reality Closeness of death Intimacy Repetiveness of everyday life Deformation of reality Repression of past personalities

5. Meshes of the Afternoon: Mise-en-scene Settings: Outdoors, on the house, the beach Costume: Dark colors Lighting: Mostly dark Acting style: Dance influence; Facial expressions

6. Meshes of the Afternoon:Mise-en-scene Props: Mirror Key Knife Telephone Flower

7. Meshes of the Afternoon:Conclusion Symbolic title: a. “Meshing” of personalities b. Different levels of reality c. Significance of death

8. Meshes of the Afternoon:Questions and discussion How the deformation of reality is achieved? What is your interpretation of the film, and which elements of mise-en-scene help support your interpretation? Being there many possible realities, which one do you think prevails?

9. Bibliography Mathews, Claude, Patricia Peel and James Whittle. Film Guide to Maya Deren’s and Alexander Hammid’s “Meshes of the Afternoon”. 1975.