Fest Track On Sirk TV Film Review: WITCH HUNT [SxSW Film Festival 2021 - Virtual]
The idea of slight changes on alternative history provides an interesting context on current events. "Witch Hunt" [2020 Spotlight Feature] does an interesting job of melding the differing textures in Donald Trump's America. The film, which was filmed pre-election, reflects back to the immigration crisis while harking in certain contexts to the aspect of the Underground Railroad, albeit with a much different meaning. In this time and story, witchcraft is very real...and has been outlawed. Like certain aspects of The Mutants in the Fox Marvel Universe, it is used as way to outcast or as a controlling mechanism. Each individual has certain ways to deal with it. What is interesting is how thinly veiled some of it is but how it fits in all too well, almost to a point of mirrored fascism in a way. The FBi becomes the BWI (Bureau Of Witchcraft Investigation). Elizabeth Mitchell of "Lost" fame plays a protector of sorts here but done in a certain mindset and psychology.
The film doesn't overtly rely on special effects, only at specific points when it needs to. It also creates a context of a frontier area in a way, whilst disguised as a desert suburbia near the border. While Mitchell's character is an important structure point, it is the two younger actress, especially Gideon Adlon as her daughter Claire, that stands out. She is a teenager trying to fit in but because of how her family operates there is a little more sense of knowing. Her father is gone which is not really explained (but not necessary). She has identical twin brothers who seem to only be able for the most part to communicate with each other. A pair of other sisters, led by Abigail Cowen (who bears a remarkable resemblance to Elle Fanning) are also introduced and the film in some set pieces including one set in a bar (which is oddly constructed in terms of its motivations) define more the mindset. While there are inherent plot holes, including the one just mentioned, it shows the inherent compaction of the state to impose rules based on perceived notions.
While it is too bad these kinds of discussions need to be had, representation in this way is needed. Abigail's Fiona says at one point repeatedly "But I'm a good person!" which is a truism and unfortunately needs to be repeatedly said. Christian Camargo plays the other side of the equation with a dark edge but a logical sense which can be even scarier which, like the McCarthy hearings, can illustrate the idea of righteousness which eventually becomes a form of terrorism itself. "Witch Hunt", despite some flaws, is an interesting diatribe on the notion off identity, rights and the issues facing today's society wrapped in the veil of a genre where witchcraft in an alternate history is deemed illegal. B+
By Tim Wassberg
