Symbiopsychotaxiplasm: Take 2 ½ (2005)

"Symbiopsychotaxiplasm: Take 2 ½" is an enigmatic exploration of the world behind the camera, a meta-cinematic marvel that peels back the layers of filmmaking. In the tumultuous year of 1968, William Greaves ventured into the heart of Central Park to capture the raw emotion of a couple's relationship crumbling. He directed a series of intense scenes with various pairs of actors, all interpreting the same story of a woman who ends her marriage. "Take 2 1/2" reinvents this original concept. Greaves revisits those scenes from 1968, stirring in discussions amongst the crew about the film's evolution, creating a rich tapestry of perspectives. The passage of time does not soften the narrative, but instead, brings new depth; 35 years later, Greaves gathers the original actors and crew, along with new faces, back to Central Park. The characters of Alice and Freddie reunite, their encounter a reimagined echo of their past selves. The film is not merely a reunion but an intricate dance of metanarrative, where the lines between film and reality blur. Greaves' relentless pursuit for that elusive symbiopsychotaxiplasmic moment - the perfect fusion of life and art - unfurls on screen. The audience becomes witness to both the drama of Alice and Freddie's story and the creative process behind it, resulting in a captivating dialectic that explores the intricacies of filmmaking and the human condition.

Symbiopsychotaxiplasm: Take 2 ½ is a documentary movie featuring William Greaves.

Symbiopsychotaxiplasm: Take 2 ½ is currently streaming on Criterion Channel.