Archive

2023(27th)

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Bucheon Choice: Features

Sorcery

Christopher MURRAY

Chile, Mexico, Germany2023101min Asian Premiere

Program Note

In the late 19th century, on Chiloé Island off the coast of Chile, Rosa loses her father, who was falsely accused, and seeks refuge under the protection of Mateo, the leader of an indigenous group. In order to seek revenge against the ruling elite of the town, who killed her father and coldly abandoned her, Rosa learns indigenous rituals and carries out her plan. Based on a true story, Christopher Murray’s Sorcery incorporates typical elements of folk horror, but it has no interest in conforming to the formula of the genre. The film observes Rosa, the people surrounding her, the landscapes of Chiloé Island, and the dynamics of values, beliefs and violence drawing attention to the abyss of terror that has permeated the history of folk horror. What emerges through this exploration is a certain truth about the local, which can only exist as “sorcery” under the power of global forces such as Christianity and colonial modernization. (Jin PARK)

Diretor

Christopher MURRAY

Christopher’s first film Manuel de Ribera (2010) premiered at Rotterdam Film Festival. Co-directed the documentaries Propaganda (2014) and Dios (2019) both premiered and awarded at Visions du Réel. Director and scriptwriter of The Blind Christ (2016) which premiered in the Official Competition at Venice Film Festival.

Credit

Producer Juan de DIOS LARRAÍN, Pablo LARRAÍN, Rocío JADUE
Screenplay Christopher MURRAY, Pablo PAREDES
Cinematographer María SECCO
Editor Paloma LÓPEZ
Music Leonardo HEIBLUM
Production Design Bernardita BAEZA
Cast Valentina VÉLIZ CAILEO, Daniel ANTIVILO, Sebastian HÜLK