Instant Dreams

Instant Dreams is a 2017 documentary that immerses viewers in the fascinating world of Polaroid photography, a medium which has significantly influenced the modern culture of instant gratification. Directed with audacity and artistry by Willem Baptist, the movie tracks the journey of three main personalities: renowned artist Stefanie Schneider, master scientist Stephen Herchen, and Polaroid enthusiast Chris Bonanos.

The documentary opens the lens into the intimate connection between instant photography and human expressions, showcasing how a moment can be preserved forever at the click of a shutter. Baptist allows an audience glimpse into Stefanie's artistic process, as she utilizes expired Polaroid films to create her unique dreamlike art narratives. Her images, teeming with an overwhelming sense of nostalgia and yearning, reflect her personal take on the collective psyche of the American West. Through Baptist's camera, Stefanie Schneider's artistic journey serves as an exploration of the medium, its decline and resurgence, and the impact of these moments as lasting sensory experiences.

Instant Dreams also introduces us to Stephen Herchen, an ex-Polaroid scientist determined to unravel the secret chemical formula behind the magical Polaroid film once developed by its founder, Edwin Land. His mission transcends the field of chemistry; it's a race against time as he tries to resurrect a dying technology. Baptist highlights the invigorating and obsessive nature of Herchen's pursuit and subtly draws parallels between his mission and the wider span of human ambition.

Then there's Chris Bonanos, a New York magazine editor and Polaroid enthusiast who offers a compelling insight into the effects of Polaroid photography on social and pop culture. Chris' love for the medium is palpable as he recalls how Edwin Land's instant photography revolutionized the way we capture and share moments, underscoring the brand's influence in shaping our contemporary obsession with 'instant' digital photos on social media.

The documentary is not just about the technological aspects of Polaroid but about the emotional connection that users have with the medium. It underscores the susceptibility of the human mind to nostalgia, and the surreal thrill of being able to seize a moment, freeze it, and own it in an unmistakable square format. Instant Dreams also touches upon the struggle between analog and digital that the photography world is grappling with today, posing questions about what we value in a medium that has witnessed immense change over the years.

As the title suggests, Instant Dreams is less a textbook exploration of the Polaroid process, and more a dream-like state that the filmmaker invites us to share in. It praises the uncanny nature of these images, instantly created yet palpably transient, like dreams materialized in seconds and vanished in decades.

Throughout the film, the storytelling is enriched by stunning cinematodynamic work, moving between close, intimate portraits, and gloriously wide shots. The cinematography mimics the aesthetic of Polaroid itself, revealing soft edges of nostalgia around vivid moments of reality. The choice of music seems particularly deft. The wiry synth scores lend an almost otherworldly aura to the visuals, making the viewing experience as haptic as the medium itself. Part science, part art, and part history, each scene of Instant Dreams retains a dreamy aesthetic that mirrors the visuals of a Polaroid picture.

In essence, Instant Dreams is a love letter to the iconic medium. It’s a poignant and ethereal documentary that doesn’t merely recount the history of Polaroid and its cultural impact but reflectively dives into the human tendency towards capturing moments. The film serves as a fascinating insight into the crossroads between technology and art and is a must-see for people curious about the lasting allure of Polaroid and the ever-evolving realm of photography.