By Madison Boone
Let’s talk about all things witch — a character that casts spells, grants wishes and is the ultimate femme fatale. The “witch” is a complex character who has undergone many transformations throughout cinema history. The Independent Picture House is celebrating Women’s History Month with the event That’s Very Witch, which will feature four iconic witch films: THE CRAFT, BELL, BOOK AND CANDLE, THE WITCHES OF EASTWICK and THE LOVE WITCH.
What makes this event special is the appearance of Payton McCarty-Simas, author of “That’s Very Witch: Fear, Feminism and the American Witch Film.” She will offer an introduction to all four films and lead talkbacks for three of them. The book explores how the witch became a classic feminist symbol and how the evolution of this character is shaped alongside feminist movements. McCarty-Simas is an author, film critic and video artist with a background in film and media studies. Her work has appeared in The Hollywood Reporter and The New York Times. She is an exceptional guest whose expertise will give audiences valuable insight into the witch’s world.
When I read about this event, I was immediately fascinated by the topic. It is refreshing to see a unique angle on women in cinema, one that can often be overlooked. This series offers nostalgia for those familiar with the films, a fresh introduction for newcomers, and deeper insight into what these films meant for culture and feminist movements. Each of the four films is from a different decade, spanning from 1958 to 2016, offering a window into its era’s culture and highlighting how society’s perception of feminism evolved over time.
BELL, BOOK AND CANDLE (1958): A romantic comedy about a witch who enchants her neighbor into falling in love with her instead of his fiancée.
THE WITCHES OF EASTWICK (1987): A comedy in which three single women want their wishes to come true, until a mysterious man arrives in their lives.
THE CRAFT (1996): A supernatural teen horror film about a girl new to a Catholic school who befriends a coven of witches.
THE LOVE WITCH (2016): A dark comedy about a modern-day witch who uses spells to make men fall in love with her.
McCarty-Simas will introduce each screening and lead talkbacks for the first three films, excluding THE LOVE WITCH. Come ready to talk, dig into this corner of cinema and walk away with a new perspective. This is a rare opportunity to explore an under-discussed topic in cinema and consider how these films both promoted feminist movements and at times may have worked against them. This is a one-time-only event, so don’t miss the chance to enjoy some spell-filled films with a splash of education and discussion on the American witch in cinema.