Poison for the Fairies (Veneno para las hadas)

 

Poison for the Fairies (Veneno para las hadas)

1985

Director- Carlos Enrique Taboada

Cast- Ana Patricia Rojo, Elsa María Gutiérrez

From Mexico

            This charming tale from Mexico follows the relationship between two elementary school age girls, Veronica and Flavia. Veronica is raised by an older nanny who tells her stories about witchcraft. Rather than being scared, Veronica is fascinated. Flavia is raised by rich parents who have instilled a sense of skepticism about the supernatural. Both are classmates in a parochial school.

            Veronica tells Flavia that she is a witch. Flavia is incredulous but Veronica begins to create doubt in Flavia’s mind after her piano teacher suffers a stroke. Veronica cultivates a relationship with Flavia, partly through piquing Flavia’s curiosity and partly through intimidation.

Veronica develops a plan to brew poison for the fairies that she says are living around them and enlists Flavia’s aid in acquiring the ingredients. As their relationship continues, Veronica becomes more domineering and abusive until things finally come to a head.

Despite the prevalence of witchcraft and the occult. Poison for the Faries is not  really a scary film. It is a story about the power that belief has over us. In this regard it is similar to The Witches and The Juniper Tree. It is also a very realistic portrayal of child psychology. The viewer sees the world through Veronica and Flavia’s eyes, and as such, we never know for certain what is real verses a child’s exaggeration. The movie focuses entirely on the two girls. Adult characters, when present, are faceless, much like the adults in a Peanuts cartoon. It also broaches the uncomfortable subject of evil in children. Can a person already be “bad” at a young age? 

            An intelligent film that is horror, not because of any particular imagery, but because of its unsettling look into the minds of children. There is no sex or profanity so its also totally appropriate for any younger viewers who are mature enough to appreciate its themes.

Still want more: Check out Don’t Deliver Us from Evil, a more grown up, and salacious, examination of similar themes of occult belief in adolescents.