Witches
Elizabeth Sankey’s deeply personal documentary explores the intersection between the portrayal of witches in cinema and the lived experience of postpartum depression. Through a combination of iconic film footage spanning the history of cinema and raw, emotional personal testimony, the film examines how the depiction of women as witches in films mirrors the all-too-real struggles many women face in the aftermath of childbirth. Sankey uses this unique lens to explore how the portrayal of women as monstrous or out of control in film reflects broader cultural fears about motherhood, mental health, and female autonomy. By blending historical film references with her own poignant story, the documentary sheds light on the emotional and psychological challenges of postpartum depression while also critiquing the societal and cinematic tropes that have long been used to vilify women. Through this powerful exploration, Sankey invites viewers to reconsider the ways in which gender, mental health, and media intersect, offering both a personal and a broader cultural commentary on the often overlooked realities of new motherhood.
Director: Elizabeth Sankey
Genre: Documentary
Cast: Adam Driver, Alba Rohrwacher, Amanda Seyfried, Amber Heard, Angelina Jolie, Anya Taylor-Joy, Bella Heathcote, Billie Burke, Cassandra Peterson, Catherine Cho, Charlize Theron, Cher