Ritual in Transfigured Time
LUX, Anthology Film Archives, The Film-makers' Cooperative
This film begins to express radical concepts of a female psyche and sexual fears. It is rich in mythological references, taken out of their original contexts, to which the film‑maker adds her own layer of meaning. Deren weaves together her interest in dance with her exploration of myth and symbol. Dance becomes a metaphor for courtship and sexual union from which “the Widow” flees at the end of the film, running into the sea. All the characters in ‘Ritual…’ represent complementary and conflicting aspects of personality which have to be reconciled with each other.
‘Ritual’ is about the nature and process of change.
– Maya Deren
Description Source: Cinenova Catalogue (1994). Edited by Kate Norrish. Editorial committee: Elaine Burrows, Liane Harris, Helen de Witt
This film is not available to book through Cinenova. It is now represented by LUX (UK), Anthology Film Archives (USA) and The Film-makers' Cooperative (USA).
