What is a witch? In this warm, cinematic and atmospheric documentary, Danish filmmaker Emil Nørgaard Munk portrays Andrea Heljskov, a self-proclaimed witch, writer and public debater.
“Hello, I’m a witch, the keeper of knowledge.” This introduction by Andrea elicits laughter from her audience. In Denmark, she’s known as a völva, a woman with magical powers and a strong relationship with nature. She’s also the author of several books, including a biography of how she and her family of six left the city for a life in the Swedish woods. After a decade, she returned to ‘civilisation’ for the sake of her family.
Director Emil Nørgaard Munk follows her as she tries to get back into the saddle after a divorce, episodes of schizophrenia and menopause. She is trying to maintain her fragile mental state, but still making a living doing what she’s good at: writing, lecturing and teaching, while also being politically active, protesting against the use of pesticides. She struggles with writer’s block and is also trying to come to terms with the tragic death of her younger sister, which the film beautifully depicts in black and white 2D animation.
Despite Hejlskov’s deep belief in the divine, spirituality and parts of Nordic mythology, the film is thoroughly grounded, portraying her total openness about her fears and doubts, as well as showing her sense of humour about both her profession and her mental health. She understands why people would be sceptical about what she claims to have experienced and known, and uses this to her advantage. At the same time, she shows us how vulnerable she is as she walks the fine line between spirituality and paranoia. And in a very moving sequence she’s strong enough to let her eldest daughter tell her about her childhood and having to deal with a mother with mental problems.
Scenes of Hejlskov in the present, nervous before a public talk, in nature, performing and undergoing rituals, or refusing to leave the film because she doesn’t want to be seen as a ‘sad case’, are interspersed with inspiring archive footage of her giving talks about her book, and of her and her family living off the grid, seemingly perfectly happy. It gives insight and understanding into why Hejlskov is so sensitive to the signs and gifts of nature…and why she so desperately wants people to listen to her.
It is an exciting and informative film about the spiritual world, driven by a very striking score – a convincing combination of music and nature sounds – which beautifully links the different scenes, such as the rattling sound of Helsjkov shaking a small sack of stones as she prepares for a performance seamlessly merging with the sound of torrential rain falling over a mystical landscape.
Hejlskov says she wants to give meaning back to things, and this film does just that. For director Nørgaard Munk it would indeed be easy to turn his protagonist into a ‘sad case’, but instead he treats her with empathy and respect, showing her as the strong and sensitive woman she is.
Denmark/202573 min
Director Emil Nørgaard Munk
Script Emil Nørgaard Munk, Biel Andrés
Editor Biel Andrés
Producer Thor Hampus Bank, Emil Johnsen
Camera Emil Nørgaard Munk, Lis Dyre, Peter Sørensen
Sound design Rune Thuelund
Composer Sune Kølster
Animation Susi Haaning
Distribution Gotfat
