Sarah Brown
The 2017 German-Austrian horror film Hagazussa: A Heathen's Curse, directed by Lukas Feigelfeld, explores the life of a young girl, Albrun, who is persecuted as a witch in 15th-century Austria. The film delves into themes of trauma, isolation, and superstition, with Albrun's character consuming hallucinogenic mushrooms, experiencing psychosis, and committing disturbing acts. The movie has received mixed reviews, with some praising its slow-burn horror and audiovisual style, while others find it challenging to follow and interpret. The use of mushrooms in the film aligns with ancient beliefs about their shamanic and spiritual properties, contributing to the eerie atmosphere of the story.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Film Name | Hagazussa: A Heathen's Curse |
| Year | 2017 |
| Director | Lukas Feigelfeld |
| Genre | Horror |
| Language | German |
| Origin Countries | Germany, Austria |
| Premiere Location | Fantastic Fest, Austin, Texas |
| Premiere Date | 22 September 2017 |
| Wide Release Date in Germany | 17 May 2018 |
| Limited Release in the US | 19 April 2019 |
| Rotten Tomatoes Score | 93% |
| Metacritic Score | 72/100 |
| Main Character | Albrun |
| Character Profession | Goat-herder |
| Character Description | A lonely young girl living with her goat-herding mother in the Alps of 15th-century Austria |
| Mushroom Characteristics | Hallucinogenic, Poisonous, Magic, Psychedelic |
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What You'll Learn
- Hallucinogenic mushrooms cause Albrun to kill and eat her baby
- The film explores trauma, isolation, and small-town superstitions
- Hagazussa means 'witch' in Old High German
- The film received positive reviews and a 93% rating on Rotten Tomatoes
- The film is divided into four chapters: Shadows, Horn, Blood, and Fire
Hallucinogenic mushrooms cause Albrun to kill and eat her baby
The 2017 German-Austrian horror film Hagazussa: A Heathen's Curse, written and directed by Lukas Feigelfeld, explores the life of Albrun, a goat-herder in 15th-century Austria. The film depicts Albrun's descent into madness and her subsequent acts of infanticide and cannibalism, which can be attributed to her consumption of hallucinogenic mushrooms.
In the film, Albrun, played by Aleksandra Cwen, leads a secluded existence in the remote Alps, an area fraught with beliefs in witchcraft and superstition. The movie is divided into four chapters: Shadows, Horn, Blood, and Fire, each written in the runic alphabet. The narrative structure reflects Albrun's gradual unraveling as she becomes unmoored from social norms and expectations.
Albrun's consumption of hallucinogenic mushrooms plays a pivotal role in her descent into madness and violence. Act three of the film marks a significant turning point, as Albrun begins to detach herself from societal norms through her ingestion of these mushrooms. The mushrooms induce hallucinations and psychosis, causing her to drown her infant daughter in a swamp. This act of infanticide is a disturbing and pivotal moment in the film.
Following the drowning, Albrun retrieves her daughter's corpse and, in a state of grief and psychosis, cooks and consumes the flesh of her child. This act of cannibalism further solidifies the association between Albrun and the witches from local folklore. The consumption of her child's flesh echoes ancient tales of witchcraft and underscores the impact of her mushroom-induced hallucinations.
The film concludes with Albrun's death as she goes up in flames with the rising sun. Hagazussa explores themes of isolation, trauma, and the deterioration of the human mind under the influence of hallucinogens and extreme circumstances. The interpretation of the film is left largely open-ended, inviting speculation and discussion among viewers.
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The film explores trauma, isolation, and small-town superstitions
The 2017 German-Austrian horror film Hagazussa: A Heathen's Curse explores trauma, isolation, and small-town superstitions. The film is directed by Lukas Feigelfeld and stars Aleksandra Cwen as Albrun, a goat-herder living a secluded life in the Alps during the 15th century. The film is divided into four chapters: Shadows, Horn, Blood, and Fire, each written with the runic alphabet.
The film follows Albrun as she navigates a life of isolation and persecution as a supposed witch. The villagers believe in witches and fear heathens and non-Christian cultures, which sets the tone for the film's exploration of small-town superstitions. Albrun's isolation is emphasized by the remote setting and the limited dialogue in the film, with the director relying on visual storytelling.
The theme of trauma is central to the film, as Albrun experiences a series of traumatic events, including the death of her mother and the loss of her baby daughter. In one scene, Albrun, under the influence of hallucinogenic mushrooms, walks into a lake with her baby daughter and lets her drown. Consuming these mushrooms causes Albrun to experience psychosis and hallucinations, further contributing to the film's exploration of trauma and mental deterioration.
The film also delves into the impact of small-town superstitions and the deterioration of Albrun's mental state. The villagers' beliefs in witches and the supernatural influence how they perceive and treat Albrun, contributing to her isolation and trauma. The film leaves the interpretation of these events largely up to the viewer, inviting speculation and discussion about the true nature of the supernatural elements and Albrun's state of mind.
Hagazussa received positive reviews from critics, with a 93% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Many reviewers praised the film's visuals, atmosphere, and ability to absorb and disturb viewers. However, some viewers found the film challenging to follow and interpret, with its slow pace and open-ended narrative leaving some feeling bored or irritated.
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Hagazussa means 'witch' in Old High German
"Hagazussa" is an Old High German term for "witch". It is also the title of a 2017 German-Austrian horror film written and directed by Lukas Feigelfeld. The film follows the story of Albrun, a goat-herder in the 15th-century Alps, an area fraught with beliefs in witches and fear of heathens and non-Christian cultures. Albrun leads a secluded life and is persecuted as a witch.
The film is divided into four chapters: Shadows, Horn, Blood, and Fire. It received positive reviews from critics, with a 93% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes and a score of 72 out of 100 on Metacritic, indicating "generally favorable reviews".
The term "Hagazussa" or "hedge-sitter" refers to old women who would sit near the hedges that separated cultivated land from wild forests, gathering herbs while the men did agricultural labour. In the film, Albrun lives in isolation in the mountains with her infant daughter and is ostracised and tormented by her local community. She regularly encounters supernatural phenomena and experiences trauma and gaslighting by those around her, leading to a build-up of rage and guilt within her.
The film explores themes of trauma, isolation, superstition, and the deterioration of the human mind. It is an atmospheric, folk horror tale that leaves much open to interpretation. Some viewers have interpreted Albrun's experiences as supernatural, while others have seen them as signs of mental illness. The film has been praised for its brave performance by Cwen, who portrays Albrun's descent into harmful behaviour and loss of control over her actions.
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The film received positive reviews and a 93% rating on Rotten Tomatoes
The 2017 German-Austrian horror film Hagazussa: A Heathen's Curse received positive reviews from critics and currently holds a 93% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. The film, written and directed by Lukas Feigelfeld, premiered at Fantastic Fest in Austin, Texas, on 22 September 2017, and subsequently screened at other film festivals, including the BFI London Film Festival and the Brooklyn Horror Film Festival.
Hagazussa is a folkoric tale set in the 15th-century Alps, where a young goat-herder named Albrun leads a secluded life in a remote area fraught with beliefs in witches and fear of heathens and other non-Christian cultures. The film follows Albrun as she grapples with trauma and isolation, superstitions, and her deteriorating mental state. It features stunning cinematography and a sparse dialogue, relying heavily on visuals and music to create a gothic and atmospheric mood.
While some viewers found the film challenging due to its slow pace, ambiguous narrative, and disturbing content, others praised its ability to create a spellbinding audiovisual experience. Critics described the film as "stylish" and "spellbinding," with particular mention given to its stunning visuals and effective use of music. The film's exploration of isolation, trauma, and the impact of superstition and religious persecution on mental health added depth to the horror narrative.
The film's rating on Rotten Tomatoes is based on 29 reviews, with an average score of 7.5/10. The consensus on the platform states: "Hagazussa: A Heathen's Curse weaves a spooky supernatural story that should satisfy horror fans with more adventurous inclinations." Additionally, on Metacritic, the film received a weighted average score of 72 out of 100, indicating "generally favorable reviews."
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The film is divided into four chapters: Shadows, Horn, Blood, and Fire
The 2017 German-Austrian horror film Hagazussa: A Heathen's Curse is directed by Lukas Feigelfeld. The film is divided into four chapters: Shadows, Horn, Blood, and Fire.
The film tells the story of Albrun, a goat-herder in the 15th century who is persecuted as a witch from childhood. The term Hagazussa is an Old High German word for "witch". The film explores themes of trauma, isolation, and the deterioration of the human mind.
In the film, Albrun consumes hallucinogenic mushrooms, which lead to her committing infanticide by drowning her baby daughter in a lake. This act is followed by Albrun cooking and eating her daughter's corpse, which is shown in a very long and graphic scene. The consumption of these mushrooms is also linked to a mushroom-induced psychosis that causes Albrun to see menacing shadows and hear her mother's laughter.
The use of mushrooms in Hagazussa can be interpreted in the context of their historical significance in shamanic practices and folklore. Mushrooms have been associated with medicine, food, and spiritual practices in various cultures. In Central Asia, for example, shamans have special rituals for harvesting certain mushrooms, and the Amanita Muscaria mushroom is linked to ritual use and the belief that it provides access to the spirit realm.
The four-chapter structure of Hagazussa effectively portrays Albrun's descent into isolation and her struggle against social expectations and cultural beliefs. The film has received positive reviews, with critics praising its slow-burn horror, stunning atmosphere, and intense portrayal of isolation and deterioration.
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Frequently asked questions
Hagazussa: A Heathen's Curse is a 2017 German-Austrian horror film written, directed, and co-produced by Lukas Feigelfeld in his feature directorial debut. The film follows the life of a young girl, Albrun, who lives with her goat-herder mother in the Alps of 15th-century Austria. Albrun is persecuted as a witch and the film explores themes of trauma, isolation, and superstition.
The film is divided into four chapters: Shadows, Horn, Blood, and Fire. In the film, Albrun eats hallucinogenic mushrooms, which cause her to drown her baby daughter in a lake. She then cooks and eats her daughter's corpse. The movie ends with Albrun dying on a mountaintop and her body spontaneously combusting with the rising sun.
Hagazussa explores various themes such as trauma, isolation, and the impact of superstitions and small-town mentality on an individual's mental state. The film also touches on the persecution of women accused of witchcraft and the supernatural.
Hagazussa received positive reviews from critics, with a 93% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes and a score of 72 out of 100 on Metacritic. Critics described the film as "spooky, stylish, and spellbinding" with "stunning atmosphere and brooding terror." However, some viewers found the film slow-paced, confusing, and disturbing.
