THE JUNIPER TREE
Nietzchka Keene
1990
THURS 31ST OCT | QFT | 6.20PM | £6.95
1990
THURS 31ST OCT | QFT | 6.20PM | £6.95
WANDA is excited to return to the QFT for the opening night of its third edition! Continuing the festival’s mission to bring ‘lost’ works by women to new audiences in Belfast, they present The Juniper Tree, a haunting story of witchcraft and the supernatural set in stunning rural Iceland. Written, produced and directed by US filmmaker Nietzchka Keene whose talent was mostly unrecognised in her lifetime, the film has been beautifully restored to 4k from the original 35mm camera negative.
Featuring superhuman musician and style icon Björk in her first acting role and riveting performances from supporting cast, the film is a poetic vision of medieval Iceland intertwined with the Brothers Grimm fairytale on which it is based. Sisters Marjit and Katla flee their home in search of another life after their mother is burned for witchcraft. Finding shelter and protection with Johan and his resentful son, Jonas, the sisters’ position becomes increasingly precarious as tensions rise and sorcery emerges.
Join us in the QFT bar after the film to celebrate the festival opening with music (including Björk!) from the 343 DJs, this is the alternative Halloween night you don’t want to miss.
