Essential Deren: Collected Writings on Film

The most important independent (amateurism) filmmaker of the 20th century. She & Sasha were 40 years ahead of their time and her fusion of dance, film and wisdom traditions of the Caribbean pack a wallop 80 years later

I absolutely love Maya Deren's films. I really wanted to pry into her brain reading this book on her film theory and ideas. Maybe it is the age that she lived in as a woman, maybe is the age I live in as a woman reading it, but I feel dissapointed in this book. She was unique and way ahead of her time and it seems that she felt it overwhelmingly in her daily life. Lot of her text is a justification of what she did not in her amazing work itself but in what others lack or did not understand. She brings up the freedom of the small scale film maker repetitively, almost as she wanted to convince herself that she is doing okay versus Hollywood. I was seeking a giant, a mentor but I found someone just as scared and insecure as the rest of us - and somehow that makes me love her work more.

A fascinating collection of writings by someone who did not compromise on the idea of film as an art, as a form that did not necessarily need "story", and how story dominates everything we think film is now. I am especially struck by her positioning herself as "amateur" and how her claiming this nomenclature allows us to reevaluate our own positions as artists, how the advantages of this out way the loss of budget. She was and remains essential, and any artist working in any art form can learn something here.

Absolutely great and easy reading. Essay formate so you can read what you choose first. Having seen some of her film work prior to reading heighten the enjoyment of her work. Recommended for film students and fans alike!

I love what Maya Deren has to say about film and its medium. This is a classic look at our ever beloved art, from (unfortunately), a very technical way. I believe that the most profound things can be said, most effectively, in a very simple way. She wrote probably like she thought and spoke...I just have to re-read most of it in order to understand it. Anyhow, will take me another year to finish, however, I'm determined to finish it, page-by-page.

A peak inside the mind of a fantastic filmmaker. As relevant today as ever.

An incredible book written by an incredible woman. I am really enjoying it. Thank you!

Beautiful.

Quintessential work from the woman who challenged Hollywood and traditional ways of seeing in film. Without her we wouldn't have cinematography in its multiple forms today. If you are interested in making film, this is great reference. If you are a writer, know Deren before you go further.

It is what it says it is: an essential and well gathered collection of Maya Deren's writings. Perfect for scholars or filmmakers interested in Deren's work. To be read while seeing her work for a better understanding.