Directed by Nietzchka Keene and starring the then-unknown Björk in her first feature film role, “The Juniper Tree” is a stark and atmospheric black-and-white adaptation of the Brothers Grimm fairy tale of the same name. Set in a harsh, medieval Icelandic landscape, the film follows two sisters, Margit (Björk) and Katla, who are fleeing persecution after their mother is burned as a witch. They seek refuge with Jóhann, a farmer and recent widower, and his young son, Jónas. Katla, the older sister, soon marries Jóhann, but her ambition and latent magical abilities create a deep tension within the new, blended family. The story is told from the perspective of the young and innocent Margit, who witnesses Katla’s increasingly manipulative behavior and her cruel resentment towards her skeptical stepson. This resentment escalates into a tragic act of violence, after which the film delves into themes of grief, guilt, and supernatural revenge, all presented with a slow, poetic realism that emphasizes the psychological turmoil of its characters over fantastical elements.

Time: 1:00-3:00 pm EDT

Free!