Meshes of the Afternoon, filmed by Maya Deren and Alexander Hackenschmied, remains an influential piece in film history despite its brief runtime of under fifteen minutes. The film is recognized as a standard introduction to experimental film in academia and has received critical acclaim, ranking at #16 in the last Sight and Sound critics poll of the best films of all time. Its impact on surrealism and influence on major films is notably significant, shared with other classics like Lawrence of Arabia and Blade Runner. Its atmospheric portrayal of paranoia persists 62 years after its release, highlighting its enduring relevance.
Had Californian sunlight ever looked as suggestive or sinister before the sharply etched dream world of Meshes of the Afternoon? Certainly, it soon would, in Billy Wilder's Double Indemnity and many later films noirs.
Despite its runtime of less than fifteen minutes and the obviously modest means of its production, it's long been canonized as not just a standard introduction to experimentalism in film studies classes, but also a critical favorite.
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