The Vanquishing of the Witch Baba Yaga is a puzzle of a thing and best described as a slow moving meditation on tradition and change. The white card on the gallery wall would say “Mixed-media.”
The majority of the film is 16mm documentary style clips of eastern Europeans going about their post 20th century lives, from traditional activities such as harvesting with a scythe to trashy wedding receptions. Over this, a droning narration cryptically draws a link between culture and nature, or the lack thereof.
Intercut is an animation of the story of the witch Baba Yaga which was beautifully drawn and engaging. However, overall the effect was soporific and the purpose obscured.
BY JACK FRANKLIN
