[Once
again I'm going to attempt to do a horror(ish) movie review a day for
the entire month of October. I've done this the last few years on The
Cleveland Movie Blog. Most of the time I succeeded. Other times I didn't. We'll see if I can
pull it off this year.]
Review by Bob Ignizio
Set in 15th century Germany, Lukas Feigelfeld’s HAGAZUSSA
is a stark tale of misogyny and ostracization. After her mother, a suspected
witch, dies, Albrun (Aleksandra Cwen) is largely shunned by the nearby townfolk,
tending her goats and raising her infant daughter. Surprising Albrun, one of
the women from town, Swinda (Tanja Petrovsky) befriends her. But that friendship
takes an ugly turn, resulting in horror and tragedy.
While the film alludes to witchcraft and the supernatural, they
seem to function in a more symbolic manner. One should not necessarily take
them as a reality in the world of the film. This especially the case once the
film takes an overtly psychedelic turn in its third act.
While that’s a fair description of HAGAZUSSA, it can’t
really be easily summed up in a synopsis. The film is measured and subdued,
focusing more on atmosphere and theme than traditional action or plot. But even
when it doesn’t seem as if much is going on, there’s a constant feeling of
unease that eventually explodes into full blown horror.
Some have described HAGAZUSSA as Germany’s answer to THE
WITCH. That is an oversimplification, as HAGAZUSSA is very much its
own film, and one which draws very different conclusions. But it would be fair
to say that if you found THE WITCH too slow moving or esoteric, you’re
not likely to appreciate this film, either. This is unapologetically a film for
those who prefer their horror on the arty and intellectual side, and I suspect
among that crowd it will be met with considerable approval.
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