The Witches + introduction

In Nicolas Roeg’s adaptation of Roald Dahl’s novel The Witches, a young boy is vacationing at the seaside with his grandmother when he discovers that the hotel he is staying at is hosting a convention of witches. Eavesdropping on the witches, he learns that the Grand High Witch (Anjelica Huston) has devised a plan to turn all of the children in England into mice. With creature-effects by Jim Henson’s Creature Shop, The Witches was the last film Henson worked on before passing away in 1990. 

Introduction:
Lievnath Faber, representing Oy Vey, will be delivering the introduction to this screening of The Witches. She will be leading the discussion on the relationship between anti-Semitism and the portrayal of witches, as well as the historical link between anti-Semitic propaganda and witch hunts. While Roald Dahl is widely celebrated as a beloved children's author, it may come as a surprise to some that he has been known to make anti-Semitic comments throughout his career.

About Oy Vey: 
Oy Vey is an outward-facing, inclusive, and unapologetically Jewish hub in Amsterdam. Oy Vey aims to facilitate and amplify the creation and expression of contemporary Jewish culture. It is a place where everyone is welcome to participate in, learn from, and proudly enjoy all things Jewish.  

About Lievnath Faber: 
Lievnath Faber is a writer, researcher, accompanist, mother who is working on the intersections of the human life cycles – childbirth, coming of age, menarche, marriage, menopause and death – the power and magic of cinema and radically inclusive Jewish community building.