Häxan (1922)

	Also Known As: Witchcraft through the ages
	Year of first release: 1922
	Director: Benjamin Christensen
	Actors: Benjamin Christensen, Elisabeth Christensen, Maren Pedersen
	Country: S, DK
	Genre: Documentary, Horror
	Conditions of visioning: 13.09.2011, cinema St Ex, Strasbourg, SFFF2011, with original live music by Matti Bye.
Synopsis: A cult documentary about witchcraft through the ages.
Review: I first heard about this movie only recently, when it was edited in a restored version on a french DVD. Mute Dano-Swedisch production from 1922, it has acquired the status of cult movie. Composed of 7 chapters, only the 1st one qualifies as “through the ages”. The other actually tell how witchcraft was perceived in the Middle-Age. My favorite was the second segment, describing one day in the life of a witch, and including some special effects I found great for the time ; the kind that would actually be used until the 60's or 70's! The text panels are usually very descriptive, and sometimes contain some humor. The movie is a bit long towards the end, but I liked the way the story was told and illustrated. An important part of the projection was the music: The FFFS had invited a Swedish composer specialized in writing music for mute movies. His music (piano, but also some electronic sounds and voices, all performed live) brought a lot to the different chapters in the story, and helped “stay awake”, which is not always easy when watching movies of this period.
Rating: 8/10, 6/10 in DVD = without live soundtrack