Divine Horsemen by Maya Deren
Monday, February 9, 1998, 7:30 pm
MAYA DEREN’S HAITIAN FOOTAGE
Complete and Unedited
In 1947 Maya Deren (Meshes of the Afternoon, etc.) arrived in Haiti to begin a film on Haitian dance, but instead was consumed by a profound involvement with Voodoo culture. “I had begun as an artist, as one who would manipulate the elements of a reality into a work of art in the image of my creative integrity; I end by recording, as humbly and accurately as I can, the logics of a reality which had forced me to recognize its integrity… “ – M.D. Deren was permitted to participate in and film intimate Voodoo rituals, but it was only in her book Divine Horsemen (written at the urging of Joseph Cambpell) that she managed to reflect on her experiences. The footage remained unedited and unreleased at her death. Tonight, through the courtesy of the Anthology Film Archives, this body of material will be shown.