I noticed that as part of the gradual build-up to this year’s Cambridge Film Festival there are various interesting screenings and events being held around the district. The main showing that grabbed my attention was this 1922 film, essentially in documentary style, about witchcraft and devil worship!
Not only were we to be treated to a fully restored version of the film, but there would also be a live musical accompaniment by acclaimed dulcimer maestro Geoff Smith. At first it seemed implausible that a man, who seriously looked like a contestant in a Ray Winstone competition could have the panache required to play the three custom built instruments laid out on the stage. I was pleased to say that as I was proved wrong, Mr Smith’s rendition of the score was incredibly suitable, the dulcimers gave an appropriate folky feel to a subject riddled in folklore!
The film itself, by modern comparisons, seemed a little slow in places. Overall however the information presented was very interesting, a few surprises were in store for those not in the know. For example I didn’t realise that in a black mass the witches were supposed to kiss the bottom of the devil!
As a Danish/Swedish production the director, Benjamin Christensen, apparently must have stirred up an awful lot of controversy. Haxan was banned when it was released and even now, on this tour, was presented with a 15 certificate!
The costumes in the film were quite good considering the age of the production, and some of the dramatic sequences were quite riveting in places. The interesting thing about the film was how the emphasis, scene by scene, changed from purely documentary to dramatic reconstruction. The final section of the film drew comparisons between modern day quackery and the witch-finder mentality. The overall point seeming to be that women who were old or depressed were quite often prejudiced by society. It was implied that mental institutions were just a natural and supposedly scientific response, to lack of understanding of certain conditions.
Apparently this film, along with Geoff Smith’s dulcimer accompaniment, is touring around the country at present.
**** (out of 5)
