Legends and folklore are often the manifestation of rooted cultural beliefs: what if witches are not mythical figures but the legacy of a patriarchal worldview that misinterpreted mental illnesses?

Motherhood is usually portrayed as a source of boundless joy, free from doubt and full of unconditional love. But what happens when a mother experiences post-partum depression and psychosis, grappling with intrusive and dreadful thoughts about her newborn? Director Elizabeth Sankey draws from her own experience and relates it to the representation of witches in cinema and history, as well as testimonies from historians, folklore scholars and psychiatrists, crafting a profound cultural analysis of our prejudices and fears. By reclaiming the figure of the witch and embracing its mysterious and magical aspects, the film extends an invitation to a new kind of coven: one built on healing, empathy, and solidarity. 

Aftertalk with psychiatrist Petra van Paasen

Can we recognize signs after giving birth (or even during pregnancy) that indicate an increased risk of postpartum depression? Is there a connection between postpartum depression and the pressures of modern-day parenting? And how is it linked to the unrealistic expectations society often places on women in general?

Psychiatrist Petra van Paasen works in the UMCG (Universitair Medisch Centrum Groningen) and she is consultant for pregnant women who experience, or experienced, psychiatric problems that relate to pregnancy. Care during pregnancies also involves planning for a good and stable start of the postpartum period. She works in a small team with gynaecologists, midwives, social workers and paediatricians .