Elliptical But Extremely Watchable

I saw this extraordinary film for the first time this evening. There were a lot of elements I did not understand, but for the entire 15-minute length of the film I was transfixed.

Part of the hypnotic influence of this film was due to Rita Christiani, who, like Maya Deren herself, had a close aquaintanceship with dancer Katherine Dunham, and was probably cast in this film as a result of that relationship. The only other film I saw Ms. Christiani in was a tepid, supposedly morale-raising World War II film called "Thank Your Lucky Stars (1943)." Christiani's looks and downright animal magnetism captivated me. I tried to track down the other films she was in, but "Ritual in Transfigured Time" seemed to be the only one.

Completely devoid of makeup, which showed her natural beauty and charm, Chrisitiani floated through this enigmatic film like a slow, quiet stream of water. There is a party sequence in which she seems to be trying to get to meet a certain man, but is obstructed by different party guests getting in her way.

I had never heard of Maya Deren before this film. She was obviously quite a person, being a dancer, filmmaker, documentary maker and author. She does not cut such a bad figure herself. She appears in five of the seven films that are featured on the DVD "Maya Deren: Experimental Films."

But oh, that Rita Christiani!!