Review - The Witches of Hollywood (2020) 6 out of 10 Broom Sticks

 By Wendy Chiles for Bitch Goddesses



Also known as Les sorcières à Hollywood, it was directed and written by Sophie Peyrard, who you may know from her stellar documentary from 2022 about Patti Smith. The Witches of Hollywood explores the archetypes in cinema from the 1930s to the present and how it is linked to the social history of female power, starting with the Malleus Maleficarum.

Wikipedia/Disney

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, The Wizard of Oz, My Beloved Witch, Suspiria, The Craft, Practical Magic, Maleficent - Producer Ulf Kjell Gür states, "The portrayal of the witch on the screen oscillates between fascination and dread. She symbolizes the woman who does not fit into the norm: too old, too eager, too learned, too sexy. Drawing on numerous excerpts, the film questions what the witch says about each era and tells, in watermark, a social story of female power, often crushed, sometimes glorified."

Cartoons Betty Boop, Felix the Cat, then flowing into the groundbreaking Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Hollywood often presents two distinct stereotypes: the Beautiful Queen, who was based on the femme fatales of the day who could bring down "men and society" and the Ugly Crone. Either side of these representations of "womanhood" we are punished for.

Bev Grant

At the end of the hour, what the viewer ends up with is Hollywood as metaphor for changing views on women in general, feminism, and female empowerment. It's a quick watch but it really doesn't cover any real new ground if you are already familiar with the topic. If you are just starting in the Craft, it is a great baseline to start with. It's coverage of the W.I.T.C.H. (Women's International Terrorist Conspiracy from Hell) at their reclamation of Witchcraft in the 70s and the 80s Satanic Panic period are particular standouts. My only real issue at a couple of points was that Wiccans and Witches were used interchangeably at one point.

Mutant Enemy

I commend Peacock for having this on it's service past Halloween, since Witches exist all year long. 

6 out of 10 Broom Sticks


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