Films like Midsommar, The Wickerman, Witchfinder General, and The Witch have fascinated horror loves for ages, but what is it about this subgenre of horror that draws viewers in. Even episodes of Doctor Who have explored the ideas of coming to a small village and finding some sort of deadly pagan conspiracy. Woodlands Dark and Days Bewitched, premiering at SXSW 2021, is a documentary exploring the pull of these films and how they tie into the human psyche.
Woodland Dark and Days Bewitched is an absolutely fascinating look at folk horror and how it ties into current events, geography, and our fears of colonization. Be prepared to have a list of films to watch that you may not have seen, unless you’re a huge English horror film buff in regards to the 1970’s. There’s even a focus on kids shows that had strange clockwork animals and retelling of folk tales.
I absolutely loved Woodland Dark and Days Bewitched. There’s no denying the film is long, but there is so much to cover that it is necessary. It may be necessary to watch in parts to absorb it all. The film is written, directed and produced by Kier-La Janisse. She is the author of the book House of Psychotic Women: An Autobiographical Topography of Female Neurosis in Horror and Exploitation Films. She’s also the founder of the indie publishing house Spectacular Optical and founder of Miskatonic Institute for Horror Studies. This is her directorial debut and it is phenomenal.
Woodlands Dark and Days Bewitched premiered at SXSW Tuesday March 16th.
