The Juniper Tree

Macrobetix – ”Glorious, grimm, magical & visually stunning.

The story of two sisters, one a seer, the other a witch seeking a new life in the rugged and wild land of Iceland after the burning of their witch mother. They meet a man and his young son and the older sister begins her witchcraft to ensure their future by binding herself to the man. But the man’s son is aware of the older sisters’ witchcraft and becomes a threat to the new found family. After the older sister becomes pregnant she asks the boy to help her gather herbs. After rowing the young boy continues to accuse her of being a witch. The boy ends up falling / jumping to his death determined that his birth mother will protect him. Scared that she will meet the same end as her mother the older sister again turns to witchcraft to protect herself. The father finds out that the sister was involved in some way to the death of his son and she flees, even though she is pregnant. The younger sister and the man end up living together and we see that the spells the witch sister cast continue to work as the man is shown to miss her, regardless of her part in the death of his son.

The story, as is made clear, relates to ‘The Juniper Tree’ fairy tale from German folk lore & fairy-tales. But also comments on womanhood at the time, shifts in social and religious ideology. For instance the shift from the celebration of a woman’s sexual nature and fertility to that of the more christian ideology of virginity & celibacy.

With the film working on many levels, superb acting especially from Bjork, phenomenal cinematography in every shot and all in the beautiful and rugged landscape of Iceland. It’s no wonder it gets such strong critical reviews. With something new to find with every viewing I will certainly be enjoying it time and time again.”