Häxan is a hybrid creature. With both documentary and dramatic scenes, Benjamin Christensen's film tells the story of witchcraft from the Middle Ages to modern times and is also a study of how superstition and the misunderstanding of illnesses could lead to the hysteria of witch hunts. Due to the pictorial depiction of torture, nudity and perversion, the film was shortened, censored or even banned altogether in many countries. Today, it is captivating primarily because of its expressionist staging and dark, burlesque visions of horror.

Since the 1960s, Häxan has been repeatedly set to new music, especially by male musicians from the fields of jazz and experimental music. As part of the silent film festival, we will be showing the original version from 1922 with a new live setting by the international female trio NYX with vocal artist and clarinettist Isabelle Duthoit, sub bass flutist and live electronic musician Angélica Castelló and pianist Sophie Agnel. Whether their music comes from heaven or hell is unclear. There is no question that witchcraft is involved in this masterful ménage à trois.

The event takes place in collaboration with the Zurich Silent Film Festival, which is organised by the Filmpodium and the IOIC.