In the Mirror of Maya Deren
Zeitgeist Films | Release Date: January 24, 2003 CRITIC SCORE DISTRIBUTION
80
METASCORE
Generally favorable reviews based on 12 Critic Reviews
Positive:
11
Mixed:
1
Negative:
0
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Critic Reviews

Critic scorePublicationBy date
100
Chicago ReaderJonathan Rosenbaum
This 2002 German documentary (in English) by Marta Kudlacek is the best portrait of an experimental filmmaker that I know. Read full review
100
Film ThreatPhil Hall
Offers a remarkable tribute to one of the few people who genuinely deserves to be known as a pioneer of filmmaking. In the genre of films about films, In the Mirror of Maya Deren is among the best. Read full review
100
Christian Science MonitorDavid Sterritt
In the Mirror of Maya Deren, creatively written and directed by Martina Kudlacek, is an eloquent memorial to her unique accomplishments -- and an excellent introduction for those who have yet to discover them. Read full review
88
Boston GlobeJanice Page
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. Read full review
80
VarietyDavid Stratton
This well researched, detailed examination of the life and work of the legendary avant-garde filmmaker, writer and dancer, Maya Deren, should provoke renewed interest in her -- she emerges as a beautiful, willful, wayward talent with an exceptional vision and a great love for life and for the avant-garde world. Read full review
80
The New York TimesDave Kehr
Rather than a feminist martyr, her film presents an artist with a rich body of work, one who still fascinates and continues to cast a wide influence. Read full review
75
San Francisco ChronicleEdward Guthmann
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. Read full review
75
New York Daily NewsElizabeth Weitzman
Kudlácek's primary focus, however, is on Deren's work, which means we don't learn enough about her complex, fascinating personality. On the other hand, she's offering a too-rare opportunity to see substantial portions of Deren's seminal films. Read full review
75
New York PostV.A. Musetto
It presents a reverential and loving portrait of Deren while remaining breezy, informative and entertaining. Read full review
70
Village VoiceJ. Hoberman
Annotating excerpts from the movies with oral history, Kudlacek's film is a well-wrought introduction not just to Deren but an under-leveraged chunk of the art world. Read full review
70
The A.V. ClubScott Tobias
Kudlácek rounds up a who's-who of experimental filmmakers, Haitian artists, dance choreographers, archivists, and programmers, all of whom reflect intelligently (though dryly) on Deren's importance in underground cinema. Read full review
60
TV Guide MagazineMaitland McDonagh
Informative documentary. Read full review
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