Paranoia and suspicion ripple through Europe’s dark ages in this frightening fairytale full of nightmarish visions and atmospheric terror.

Set amid the hinterland of the Austrian Alps, where the Black Plague has taken hold and the countryside is rife with rumour of witchcraft, Hagazussa: A Heathen’s Curse plays with storytelling conventions and audience expectations. Told across four parts, it’s a confronting glimpse into the mind of single mothers in a time of disease and isolation. Featuring deeply ominous music and intense visuals, this is a film that will leave you shaken.

Director Lukas Feigelfeld began his studies in photography before transferring to film, and the results of that collision are displayed in this stunningly photographed feature. Recalling at times the works of David Lynch, Lars von Trier and Andrei Tarkovsky, as well as an obvious comparison with The Witch (MIFF 2015), Hagazussa: A Heathen’s Curse is a frightfully accomplished debut feature that lovers of slow-burn horror will relish.

"A powerful, lingering horror in an ancient wilderness … the story plays out like an epic, tragic poem." – Dread Central

Contains high-impact imagery