In a medieval Dutch village, a young woman is caught between her faith, fanatic townsfolk and the dark forces lurking in the woods.
‘Didier Konings’ medieval horror film works wonders with strong acting, atmosphere and well-placed effects’. Screen Anarchy
Grimmfest Says: Oppressive, patriarchal Puritanism collides with an older, more matriarchal, forest-based Paganism in this ferocious Folk Horror fable. Stark and savage, but thoughtful and ultimately transcendent, it explores the clash of faiths with nuance and intelligence, making salient points about Christianity’s oppression of women and the possible emancipation the Old Religion might offer, while not for a moment downplaying the dangers and violence that are unleashed as a result.
Recalling Ingmar Bergman at his grimmest and most unflinching, but with a wilder, trippier more psychedelic edge all its own, and bursts of unexpected, shocking violence, it’s subtly played by a strong cast and beautifully shot, with a bold use of chiaroscuro that owes as much to classical Renaissance painting as to any cinematic predecessor, and makes the nightmarish conclusion all the more horrific.
Part of our TERROR IN THE TREES strand.