MUBI, the acclaimed global distributor, streaming service, and production company, announces the highly anticipated global streaming release date for Elizabeth Sankey‘s documentary film Witches. Following its world premiere at the 2024 Tribeca Film Festival, the film is set to have its UK premiere at the 2024 London Film Festival. Witches will be available exclusively on MUBI globally starting November 22, 2024, promising to captivate audiences with its thought-provoking themes.
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Sankey’s documentary delves into the intricate and often surprising connections between postpartum mental health and the historical portrayal of witches in Western society and popular culture. By intertwining personal narratives with societal reflections, the film sheds light on an important yet frequently overlooked topic, opening up a dialogue about the stigmatization of women’s mental health issues.
Building on her critically acclaimed feature Romantic Comedy, released by MUBI in 2019, Sankey employs her signature video essay style to explore her own experiences with postpartum anxiety and depression. This intimate approach not only personalizes the narrative but also makes the broader societal implications more relatable and impactful for viewers. Through her lens, the audience is invited to witness her journey, making the film both a personal and universal exploration of mental health.
The documentary also features a rich tapestry of historical and cinematic footage, skillfully woven together with interviews from medical professionals, historians, and fellow women who have experienced similar challenges. This multifaceted perspective highlights how societal misconceptions about mental health have contributed to the stigmatization of women, especially those grappling with mental health issues after childbirth. In creating her own coven of women, Sankey empowers them to reclaim their narratives.
Expressing her excitement about the film’s upcoming release, Elizabeth Sankey stated, “I am thrilled to have Witches streaming globally on MUBI, and am so glad the film will reach many people who don’t know about these illnesses, and also find the women who are in need of their own coven to survive.” With its blend of personal narrative and historical insight, Witches promises to resonate with audiences, fostering a deeper understanding of the complex relationship between mental health and societal perceptions of women.
omg yes please