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Instant Dreams

  • 20172017
  • 1h 31m
IMDb RATING
7.0/10
1.1K
YOUR RATING
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
  • IMDbPro
Caitlin Fowler in Instant Dreams (2017)
Trailer 1
Play trailer2:08
2 Videos
21 Photos
  • Documentary
  • Drama
  • Sci-Fi
INSTANT DREAMS tells the story of a group of scientist who are trying to unravel the chemical formula of Polaroid and the Polaroid-users that eagerly await its rebirth. Each in their own way... Read allINSTANT DREAMS tells the story of a group of scientist who are trying to unravel the chemical formula of Polaroid and the Polaroid-users that eagerly await its rebirth. Each in their own way tries to keeps their instant dream alive.INSTANT DREAMS tells the story of a group of scientist who are trying to unravel the chemical formula of Polaroid and the Polaroid-users that eagerly await its rebirth. Each in their own way tries to keeps their instant dream alive.
IMDb RATING
7.0/10
1.1K
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • Willem Baptist
  • Writer
    • Willem Baptist
  • Stars
    • Stefanie Schneider
    • Stephen Herchen
    • Chris Bonanos
Top credits
  • Director
    • Willem Baptist
  • Writer
    • Willem Baptist
  • Stars
    • Stefanie Schneider
    • Stephen Herchen
    • Chris Bonanos
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 14User reviews
    • 44Critic reviews
    • 46Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 10 nominations

    Videos2

    Instant Dreams
    Trailer 2:08
    Instant Dreams
    International trailer (IDFA)
    Trailer 2:08
    International trailer (IDFA)

    Photos21

    Instant Dreams (2017)
    Stefanie Schneider and Caitlin Fowler in Instant Dreams (2017)
    Instant Dreams (2017)
    Caitlin Fowler in Instant Dreams (2017)
    Stefanie Schneider in Instant Dreams (2017)
    Chris Bonanos in Instant Dreams (2017)
    Ayana J.J. in Instant Dreams (2017)
    Chris Bonanos in Instant Dreams (2017)
    Stephen Herchen in Instant Dreams (2017)
    Stephen Herchen in Instant Dreams (2017)
    Stefanie Schneider, Angela Riccio, and Caitlin Fowler in Instant Dreams (2017)
    Instant Dreams (2017)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Stefanie Schneider
    • Self - The artistas Self - The artist
    Stephen Herchen
    • Self - The scientistas Self - The scientist
    Chris Bonanos
    • Self - The writeras Self - The writer
    Edwin H. Land
    • Self - The visionaryas Self - The visionary
    • (archive footage)
    Ayana J.J.
    • Self - The futureas Self - The future
    Caitlin Fowler
    Caitlin Fowler
    • Self - The modelas Self - The model
    Angela Riccio
    • Self - The modelas Self - The model
    Udo Kier
    Udo Kier
    • Selfas Self
    • (archive footage)
    • Director
      • Willem Baptist
    • Writer
      • Willem Baptist
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
    • All cast & crew

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      The voice that can be heard coming out of the photo printing machine in Tokyo is that of Werner Herzog.
    • Goofs
      Director and crew can be seen in the reflection of a mirror during a short scene including a photo booth.
    • Connections
      References The Holy Mountain (1973)

    User reviews14

    Review
    Top review
    8/10
    Things are only truly beautiful when imperfect
    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.
    helpful•10
    4
    • LordoftheSloths
    • Jul 6, 2019

    FAQ8

    • Is Instant Dreams a journalistic or experimental documentary?
    • Is it about the history of Polaroid or Polaroid Originals?
    • When was it shot?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • December 14, 2017 (Netherlands)
    • Country of origin
      • Netherlands
    • Official sites
      • Official Facebook
      • Official Instagram
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Миттєві мрії
    • Filming locations
      • Enschede, Overijssel, Netherlands
    • Production companies
      • Pieter Van Huystee Film and Television
      • NTR
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 31 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Aspect ratio
      • 2.39 : 1

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