Grave robbing, torture, possessed nuns, and a satanic Sabbath: Benjamin Christensen’s legendary 1922 silent film uses a series of dramatic vignettes to explore the scientific hypothesis that the witches of the Middle Ages and early modern era suffered from the same ills as psychiatric patients diagnosed with hysteria in the film’s own time. Far from a dry dissertation on the topic, the film itself is a witches’ brew of the scary, the gross, and the darkly humorous. Christensen’s mix-and-match approach to genre anticipates gothic horror, documentary re-creation, and the essay film, making for an experience unlike anything else in the history of cinema.

Tonight’s screening will feature live, improvised violin accompaniment by Daniel Perry, transforming the event into more than just a movie-going experience—it becomes a unique live performance unlike any other.

Daniel, an accomplished violinist, performs with the Anchorage Symphony Orchestra and the Kenai Peninsula Orchestra. He has concertized with many orchestral groups and well known performers. He has also taught violin privately for over 20 years. He is currently the conductor for all Homer youth string orchestra groups. In his spare time, he is a naturalist and sea kayak guide in Kachemak Bay.