The Maya Deren Collection Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		4.5
Video		3.5
Audio		3.5
Extras		4.0
Overall		4.0

The Maya Deren Collection Blu-ray Movie Review

A must-see collection of short films by experimental filmmaker Maya Deren.

Reviewed by Neil Lumbard March 16, 2021

The Maya Deren Collection is an exceptional release containing a plethora of short films from the experimental filmmaker who shaped the entire craft for generations to come. Fans of avant garde filmmaking will certainly cherish the release for including key films from the auteur filmmaker. Ukranian-born, Deren is a beloved American filmmaker who sought to create unique viewing experiences through her art.

Whether it be showcasing the life of cats (as Deren was an early adopter of producing cat-videos), the grace of dance (with Deren serving as the choreographer), or the documentary behind-the-scenes of Haiti, Deren constantly innovated and experimented with her craft. Deren even delved in to horror – crafting Meshes of the Afternoon, a curious piece of exquisite skill that is altogether unforgettable. Cinephiles who appreciate great cinema should consider Deren a master of her craft: a genius who transcended the boundaries of her craft to create art that will never be forgotten. Don't miss this must see release (curated by Kino Lorber).

A visionary filmmaker.

The Maya Deren Collection includes the following short films:

Meshes of the Afternoon (1943) (HD, 14:18)

At Land (1944) (HD, 15:29)

A Study in Choreography for Camera (1945) (HD, 2:53)

The Private Life of a Cat (1946) (HD, 29:32)

Ritual in Transfigured Time (1946) (HD, 15:02)

Meditation on Violence (1948) (HD, 12:52)

The Very Eye of Night (1958) (HD, 15:26)

Divine Horsemen: The Living Gods of Haiti (1947-1954, 1977) (HD, 50:36)

The Maya Deren Collection Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Arriving on Blu-ray from Kino Lorber, The Maya Deren Collection is presented in 1080p MPEG-4 AVC encoded high definition in the original theatrical aspect ratio of 1.33:1 full frame. The print quality on the short films can vary significantly from piece-to-piece. The works often showcase apparent wear and tear with thin scratches on the footage. These slight flaws are unexpected as everything produced is in the realm of experimental filmmaking – and given the age of the film materials, the condition of the prints are inconsistent.

Despite minor inconsistencies in the presentations, the scans showcase some nice improvements from being presented in high-definition. Even though the included films are relatively soft in focus and lack the degree of sharpness one would find in a modern production - the film stock still benefits from the exceptional encoding by Kino Lorber. Perhaps the best showcase for improved visual fidelity is Divine Horsemen: The Living Gods of Haiti (1947-1954, 1977), which has extremely impressive picture quality throughout the transfer. The scan looks superb and is crisp (with exceptional detail). Though even this film has some signs of aging, the print certainly benefits from the high-definition scanning and fans of the film will be enormously pleased.

The Maya Deren Collection Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The release includes a lossless audio presentation in DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 mono. The original audio is faithfully preserved on the release. Please note that some of the short films included in the collection are intentionally showcased without sound accompanying the visuals. As Maya Deren experimented with her craft, the filmmaking sometimes showcased this element through sound – or absence of sound. These shorts are notated as being silent within the program.

The shorts included in The Maya Deren Collection do sometimes display some minor deficiencies such as crackle, hiss, and minor audio distortions. Nonetheless, the audio tracks sound perfectly serviceable and reasonably proficient for the experimental films. There were no audio tracks on the disc that sounded unbearable and everything was ultimately satisfactory (if never as crisp or clear as a restoration overhaul might have provided).

The Maya Deren Collection Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

15 page booklet featuring writing about the short films of filmmaker Maya Deren, restoration notes, and additional information on the included films.

Audio Commentaries:

Meshes of the Afternoon (1943) Audio Commentary by film curator Thomas Beard

At Land (1944) Audio Commentary by film curator Thomas Beard

Ritual in Transfigured Time (1946) Audio Commentary by film scholar Moira Jean Sullivan

Meditation on Violence (1948) Audio Commentary by film scholar Moira Jean Sullivan

The Very Eye of Night (1958) Audio Commentary by film curator Thomas Beard

Divine Horsemen: The Living Gods of Haiti (1947-1954, 1977) Audio Commentary by film scholar Moira Jean Sullivan

Alternative Audio:

Divine Horsemen: The Living Gods of Haiti (1947-1954, 1977) Alternative French Audio recorded by Raymonde Carasco

Audio Outtakes:

Audio Outtakes from the original soundtrack recording sessions of Meshes of the Afternoon with Teiji Ito (13:07)

Audio Outtakes from the original soundtrack recording sessions of The Very Eye of Night with Teiji Ito (13:22)

Documentary:

Invocation: Maya Deren (1987) (SD, 55:26) is a feature-length documentary provided to Kino Lorber by the BFI (British Film Institute).

The Maya Deren Collection Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Maya Deren is a visionary experimental filmmaker who crafted a plethora of memorable shorts that continue to enchant audiences to this day. The filmmaker was ahead of her time and paved the way for future generations of experimental filmmakers. The included shorts in Kino's exceptional Maya Deren Collection are truly outstanding and showcase Deren's master craft. The release features a worthwhile video-audio presentation and a plethora of supplemental features. Highly recommended.