Maya Deren (1917–1961) was a pioneer of American avant garde film — the first recipient of a Guggenheim Foundation grant for "creative work in the field of motion pictures." In 1943 she collaborated with her husband, Alexander Hammid, on a short film entitled Meshes of the Afternoon. I wasn't familiar with it until now but it has clearly influenced many filmmakers and photographers over the years. Here it is:

Part 1

Part II (I'm guessing Guy Bourdin might have seen this a few times.)

Maya Deren's Legacy: Women and Experimental Film is on view at MoMA through October 4, 2010 — click here for info.