Legend of Maya Deren: A Documentary Biography and Collected Works : Signatures

Rating:
Summary: The Legend and the Reality
Review: In the 1970's a four volume project was designed to re-examine the life of filmmaker and ethnographer Maya Deren. Four authors worked within the structure of a feminist collective typical of the time with revolving editorship. According to Catrina Neiman, one of the authors, an anticipated outcome was to stimulate further academic study on Deren. Volume 1, Signatures concerns Deren's early and university life, involvement in socialist youth groups and early poetry and fiction. Chambers, part 2 ilustrates her development as a filmmaker through her first four films with documents on their production and reception. What is noteworthy of this project is the illumination of parts of Deren's life beyond the four year period between 1943 and 1946 which most people know about. The 40 year old Deren who was involved with ethnography and ethnomusicology as well as the young teen involved in political movements are areas new to us. The two remaining volumes are ready and have been so for years which publisher Anthology Film Archives has yet to release. ' Legend' embraces the transformative nature of Deren's work in different creative relationships and is the most comprehensive work to date on her life.

Rating:
Summary: The Legend and the Reality
Review: In the 1970's a four volume project was designed to re-examine the life of filmmaker and ethnographer Maya Deren. Four authors worked within the structure of a feminist collective typical of the time with revolving editorship. According to Catrina Neiman, one of the authors, an anticipated outcome was to stimulate further academic study on Deren. Volume 1, Signatures concerns Deren's early and university life, involvement in socialist youth groups and early poetry and fiction. Chambers, part 2 ilustrates her development as a filmmaker through her first four films with documents on their production and reception. What is noteworthy of this project is the illumination of parts of Deren's life beyond the four year period between 1943 and 1946 which most people know about. The 40 year old Deren who was involved with ethnography and ethnomusicology as well as the young teen involved in political movements are areas new to us. The two remaining volumes are ready and have been so for years which publisher Anthology Film Archives has yet to release. ' Legend' embraces the transformative nature of Deren's work in different creative relationships and is the most comprehensive work to date on her life.

Rating:
Summary: The Legend and the Reality
Review: In the 1970's a four volume project was designed to re-examine the life of filmmaker and ethnographer Maya Deren. Four authors worked within the structure of a feminist collective typical of the time with revolving editorship. According to Catrina Neiman, one of the authors, an anticipated outcome was to stimulate further academic study on Deren. Volume 1, Signatures concerns Deren's early and university life, involvement in socialist youth groups and early poetry and fiction. Chambers, part 2 ilustrates her development as a filmmaker through her first four films with documents on their production and reception. What is noteworthy of this project is the illumination of parts of Deren's life beyond the four year period between 1943 and 1946 which most people know about. The 40 year old Deren who was involved with ethnography and ethnomusicology as well as the young teen involved in political movements are areas new to us. The two remaining volumes are ready and have been so for years which publisher Anthology Film Archives has yet to release. ' Legend' embraces the transformative nature of Deren's work in different creative relationships and is the most comprehensive work to date on her life.