“In school, I learned about the women who had been murdered in the Medieval witch trials. Some of them were healers and midwives. Some of them had lost their minds.”

Elizabeth Sankey

Something of a bait and switch, Elizabeth Sankey’s documentary is a fascinating personal examination of postpartum psychosis and recovery presented through an artistic veil that draws parallels with witch trials to address society’s treatment and control of women. Elizabeth Sankey illustrates her narrated essay with footage from a dozen cinematic portrayals of witches over the past century, presenting a sort of archival film history alongside the the documentary’s true subject. It is the direct and open discussion of oft-hushed — even shameful — difficulties for new mothers that makes Witches so powerful, matching Sankey’s own brutally honest experience of severe psychosis (resulting in her being institutionalised) with those of several other contributors in talking heads, the most recognisable being Sophia di Martino (of Loki fame). Indeed, the personal stories are far more engaging than the meandering essay theorising about historical accusations of witchcraft, yet that angle may have been necessary to broaden the audience for this important work of advocacy.

7/10