The Juniper Tree

The Juniper Tree

1990

Director- Nietzchka Keene

Cast- Björk Guðmundsdóttir,  Bryndis Petra Bragadóttir,  Guðrún Gísladóttir,  Valdimar Örn Flygenring, Geirlaug Sunna Þormar

 

Based on a fairy tale from the Brothers Grimm, this is not a horror movie as much as an examination of family, incorporating fantastic elements. 

            The film follows a witch and her younger sister (played by Icelandic singer Bjork). They are alone after their mother has been burned for witchcraft. The older sister marries a young widower and they move in with him and his young son.  The young son resents his new step-mother and there is conflict in the family. The older sister tries to use her spells to smooth the transition into this blended family but to no avail. In addition, the younger sister seems to have the gift of seeing spirits, a gift she shared with her now deceased witch-mother. The tension in the family progresses until a death drives them all apart.

            The film, shot in black and white is bleak. It has a beautiful but somber musical score. The Icelandic countryside, which forms the backdrop of the story is other worldly at times with volcanic outcroppings and rock covered beaches. The tone of the story is set in the opening with the two sisters looking at the body of a young woman, hands tied behind her back, killed for being a witch.

            The film is not explicit in its fantasy elements. We never know if any of the witch’s spells work or if they are simply psychological placebo.  The younger sister has visions of her dead mother, but as no one else can see them, we don’t know if these are real either. We have to except all of this on faith.

            The film won’t scare anyone, but it does give some insight into a kind of everyday witchcraft , bereft of stereotypes and preconceptions.. A sad, but thought provoking film.