Instant Dreams

Pure genius. A psychedelic cinema masterwork. On the surface there is polaroid, future and past revelations meshed into an arty documentary which at times feels like an 70's sci-fi movie. The director certainly is not shy in showing his visual influences; Koyaaniquatsi, A Space Odyssey and other 70's cinema nuggets are on display loud and proud. But if you look closer there is a deeper message about the way we interact with each other through images. Who would have thought a simple polaroid picture would be at the technological and philosophical center of our current ever-connected way of living. The movie is presented as a trip but that doesn't mean it's all spectacle. There's a kooky artist in the desert who is like the Oracle in the Matrix, a scientist who is struggling with the ingredients of polaroid-material, and a writer about polaroids who tries to find back his mojo. Especially his quirky kid is the cutest thing ever. I would say the inventor of Polaroid has the biggest story-arc, even though he has limited screen time. The stories presented are engaging but weird in a cool way. There are even some touching and truly funny moments. I won't spoil them. It's light-years ahead of that Year Zero documentary of a couple of years ago; a straight up no frills documentary about the Impossible team starting up the old Polaroid factory. The Impossible team is also featured here but in a different capacity and at a different time. I would say this movie is just a different kind of animal. Closer to something Werner Herzog might have dreamt up in his during his early career. Klaus Kinski would have been right at home here. (Another German cult actor has a surprising cameo) The movie does have some flaws but nothing major. At certain points the slow pace dragged a bit and there was a certain brief part of the movie that didn't interest me so much. Nothing distracting. There is a lot to like and it instantly (pun intended) has become one my fav documentaries. An acquired taste maybe, but I welcomed it wholeheartedly. Saying this is a documentary just about polaroid would be doing it a big disservice. I found it ironic how a movie reflecting on the analog experience captured that genuine retro feel more then let's say the latest Blade Runner installment. (Which I also loved btw)

This documentary delves into the enduring appeal of Polaroid photography in the digital age. While some may dismiss it as a nostalgic relic, the film argues that the Polaroid camera and its instant prints still hold a special place in the hearts of many.

Indeed, the documentary recognizes that in today's world of lightning-fast digital photography, the Polaroid's appeal lies not in its technical capabilities, but in its ability to capture and preserve a moment in time. As one interviewee notes, "The digital world is all about speed and efficiency, but there's something beautiful about slowing down and being in the moment."

By exploring the emotional attachment that many individuals feel towards Polaroid photography, the film offers a thought-provoking reflection on the power of sentimentality. Through interviews with artists, photographers, and Polaroid enthusiasts, the documentary reveals how this seemingly outdated technology continues to inspire and move people.

While some may find it difficult to connect with the sentimental value of Polaroid photography, the documentary offers a compelling case for its enduring relevance. As one interviewee eloquently states, "Polaroid is not just a camera, it's a way of seeing the world."

After reading a lot about this documentary, I finally got to see it. Here's my take on it.

How you are going to feel about this film is going to depend on your own expectations. I got a lot out of it. I like artful movies that make you think and movies with meaningful cinematography in general.

The film is basically a poetic reflection on analog images, the human condition and how it relates to the modern world. Told via an array of characters related to preserving the Polaroid image, the story has multiple angles represented by those characters. There's the scientific point of view, the art centric view and the way we view it through history. What I found interesting is that each character comes with it's own idiosyncrasies. The scientist relies on God and poetry to help him make sense of his creation, the artist deals with her own imperfections by finding meaning in the imperfect esthetic of the Polaroid image and the history obsessed writer finds unexpected connections in the present. It's all linked through the reoccurring theme of Wabi-Sabi - a Japanese saying that states that things are only truly beautiful when imperfect. To further this point there is an actual girl from Japan in the film.

I would say what the film ultimately tries to convey is the thoughts behind the invention of the Polaroid image by examining the intentions and vision of its inventor Dr. Land and side-stepping the pop culture phenomenon what we think a Polaroid-image is. He wanted to connect humankind. The film shows us how his vision still endures and how the Polaroid image itself wasn't the point. It was a means to a greater goal. This is perfectly embodied by the Japanese girl who finds new meaning in the digital snapshots she takes, while printing (remixing) them analog. 'There are no limits on our imagination and what we can dream up in the future. It makes us human." the scientist says.

The film is about Polaroid in its most truthful essence, contextualizes it for the present day and into the future. The film is told both through narrative story and via its cinematography. There are no interviews and the narration is minimal. Makes sense to me as the documentary is about images. So is it a good movie? Yes, greatly so! While certainly it may not be for everybody, as it does require some patience and willingness from its audience. I found it very stimulating. The thought-process and planning behind it has to have been insane. That said the story itself is pretty straightforward, easy to follow and there is humor here and there to lighten the mood. Just don't expect it to be a reportage affair about all things 'fun' and 'retro cool' as Polaroid is sometimes viewed. Is it a perfect documentary? Maybe not, but then again only things that are imperfect are truly beautiful.

Where to start with this documentary? Can you even call this a documentary? If you're expecting talking heads about the ins- en outs of a once great company or typical story structure for that matter, you are in the wrong place. There is history in it and Edwin Land plays a big part in the overall story, but it's no History Channel affair. I would say it's about how humanity relates to analog Polaroid photography and what we have lost along the way. The story focuses on Polaroid devotees in the age of digital. One uses these ethereal pictures to bond with his son, another uses it in her art and yet another is on a quest to recreate the secret chemical formula. Each of them has a special bond with analog. There is a girl in Tokyo, who I guess represents the way photography will evolve into the future. I was glued to my seat throughout, taking in the hypnotic scenery, going along for a ride that is best described as ' a dream within a dream'. I highly recommend it. If you enjoy off beat films or have an interest in photography. One of the most interesting things I have seen this year.

More a tone-poem than a traditional documentary. What lies beneath the surface of this documentary about the polaroid experience, is a story about how analog still resonates in the current age. We are all looking for tangible authentic experiences and Dr. Land once invented the perfect medium for that.