LIBAHUNT

Dir. Leida Laius. 1968.

Estonia. 70 min.

Estonian with English subtitles.

SATURDAY, MARCH 7 - 3PM
FRIDAY, MARCH 13 - MIDNIGHT
FRIDAY, MARCH 20 - 10PM
MONDAY, MARCH 30 - 10PM

Based on the 1912 tragic play of the same name by August Kitzberg, LIBAHUNT follows the love triangle between Margus (Evald Hermaküla) and two stepsisters: The soft-spoken Mari (Malle Klassen), and the hot-blooded Tiina (Ene Rämmeld). Tiina’s mother was executed long ago for being a witch, and Tiina wears this stigma proudly. Margus’ parents want him to marry Mari, but he visibly prefers the freewheeling Tiina. Mari believes Tiina has cast a bewitching spell over Margus, so she spreads the vicious rumor that Tiina is a werewolf. This sparks a witch hunt with dire consequences.

Taking place in the southwestern Estonian countryside during the early 1800s, Leida Laius’ rare folk-horror gem is at once poetic, rapturous, dizzying, and frightening. Because of Laius’ use of non-professional actors and on-location shooting, LIBAHUNT still feels modern today.
Based on the 1912 tragic play of the same name by August Kitzberg, LIBAHUNT follows the love triangle between Margus (Evald Hermaküla) and two stepsisters: The soft-spoken Mari (Malle Klassen), and the hot-blooded Tiina (Ene Rämmeld). Tiina’s mother was executed long ago for being a witch, and Tiina wears this stigma proudly. Margus’ parents want him to marry Mari, but he visibly prefers the freewheeling Tiina. Mari believes Tiina has cast a bewitching spell over Margus, so she spreads the vicious rumor that Tiina is a werewolf. This sparks a witch hunt with dire consequences.

Taking place in the southwestern Estonian countryside during the early 1800s, Leida Laius’ rare folk-horror gem is at once poetic, rapturous, dizzying, and frightening.