Witches

Legends and folklore are often the manifestation of rooted cultural beliefs: what if witches are not mythical figures but the legacy of a patriarchal worldview that misinterpreted mental illnesses?

Motherhood is usually portrayed as a source of boundless joy, free from doubt and full of unconditional love. But what happens when a mother experiences post-partum depression and psychosis, grappling with intrusive and dreadful thoughts about her newborn? Director Elizabeth Sankey draws from her own experience and relates it to the representation of witches in cinema and history, as well as testimonies from historians, folklore scholars and psychiatrists, crafting a profound cultural analysis of our prejudices and fears. By reclaiming the figure of the witch and embracing its mysterious and magical aspects, the film extends an invitation to a new kind of coven: one built on healing, empathy, and solidarity.

Aftertalk  TBA

In collaboration with Forum Groningen. The Groningen InScience Festival is co-funded by the European Commission, under the Horizon Europe Research and Innovation programme, grant agreement No.101162172.