Juniper Tree

Customer Reviews:

A decent debut.......2006-04-17

Released originally on 1990, this film marks the debut performance of the Icelandic star Bjork, who we have seen more recently in "Dancer in the dark" and "Drawing restraint 9". Filmed in black and white, this movie tells the story of two witch sisters who flee after their mother is burned for practicing witchcraft. The movie is based on a story by the Grimm Brothers.

Even though the movie has a couple of good moments, it is not a dark tale of mysticism as the cover of the DVD tries to sell, in fact it is too slow and the strange way in which it is edited does not help at all. Had it been a shorter film with only the key points it might have been a better film. Bjork's performance is quite decent but nothing more and so are the rest of the actors in this film.

The movie is presented in full screen and on a not so good digital transfer, no subtitles are available. Extra features contain deleted scenes with some bloopers, an interview with the writer/director Nietzchka Keene and a slide show of publicity photos.

An average film that should obviously be a must for all Bjork fans.

Dark Vision In The Frozen Tundra.......2005-12-26

The 'Juniper Tree' is a slow, somber, methodical film with a weak storyline which at times becomes almost incoherent. However having said that I will also say that the true beauty of this film is not to be found in the story it tells, but in the visuals. Filmed in Iceland, a place where few of us have ever gone or will go, we get a glimpse of this beautiful and challenging island. Hostile, yet enchanting it appears as a world one can easily imagine to be populated by the mythical beings of Norse mythology, making it a perfect location for a tale of mysticism and witchcraft.

Katla (Bryndis Petra Bragadottir) and her younger sister Margit (Bjork) have left their village after their Mother (Guorun Gisladottir) has been burned to death by the villagers for practicing witchcraft. As they wander through the countryside they eventually come upon a small dwelling occupied by a recently widowed man and his son. They take refuge in his home and before long Katla begins to work her magic to win the heart of their unsuspecting benefactor.

Unquestionably the best moments in the film are young Margit's disturbing visions of her Mother's spirit. Guorun Gisladottir's long, matted dark hair and flowing, faded clothing are the perfect compliment to the frozen tundra surrounding her. As she sits silently amongst the protruding rocks she strikes a chilling pose in harmony with the stark, evocative Icelandic landscape.

This is not a film that stands up well to repeated viewings, but it has its moments. Now if you're a big Bjork fan that's a different story.

Bjork As A Witch?.......2005-03-07

Bjork played an outstanding role, her part as a witch was great. This film is in black and white, which only adds to the intrigue. She makes you feel like you are there, with her and her sister. The man her sister marries has a son who cannot accept her. Bjork is accepted after a trial period by the son, but the sister attempts her own witchcraft on his father, which seems to work. The son catches on fast, he wants to know where Bjork and her sister come from, Bjork does not give him a straight answer just comments "somewhere far away, that does not exist anymore", this film will take your imagination far into the past. The clothing everyone wore was right for the time period, to me it was very Nomadic. Bjork is not only a great musician, but also a great actress. Her performance is superb.

Only for die-hard fans..........2004-08-30

"The Juniper Tree" features Björk's first attempt at acting; though the movie is not very good, it is definitely worth taking a look at if only just to see Björk as a young actress! I would only recommend this movie to true Bjork fans!

Poor Quality dvd of a badly directed mess.......2003-01-13

Where to start.... I give this film credit for the fact that it is a tiny budget independent film and therefore should be viewed as one. As a film maker myself being a small film does not excuse bad cinematography, scripting, sound design, direction and production. The performances are quite strong particularly bjork's and lets face it nobody would watch this film had she not appeared in it. The thing that made this messy film even worse was the special features on the dvd! Sometimes they are better left off the disk, trust me. The interview with the writer/director is cringe worthy at the very least and the so called deleted scenes, well who cares! Seriously there is a shot of a bird with the directors voice over saying "It was a bird from a zoo". Big deal, it's just sitting in a tree that shot was achievable anywhere at any time. When questioned as to what this film is about this director has no idea about her own subject matter, it just sounds like she wanted to go to iceland. As far as researching this project for almost a full year, well it sounds like a pretensious university lecturer living off grants. Unfortunately this woman is what keeps independent film makers down and had that money been given to someone competant a great film could have been made. basically this is a shocker but the actors are great.

Piege D'Inssoudun, Le (The Juniper Tree), (Original French Version with English Subtitles)

Average customer rating:

Piege D'Inssoudun, Le (The Juniper Tree), (Original French Version with English Subtitles)

ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Art House & International | Genres | DVD | Video

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ASIN: B0002VZXPE

Product Description

Novembre gris et froid. Esther décide un matin de s'enlever la vie avec ses deux jeunes enfants. Toutefois, elle survit malgré elle à ce triple suicide. En état de choc, elle prend la route avec sa voiture dans l'espoir de se tuer au volant. Elle se fait arrêter pour excès de vitesse par un policier sur l'autoroute entre Montreal et Québec. Devant l'état déplorable de la femme, le policier décide contre tout attente de la ramener chez elle. Un dialogue s'installe entre les deux pendant le voyage de retour. Ignorant tout de son geste, le policier se prend de sympathie puis d'affection pour cette femme proche de la quarantaine, tactunre et si visiblement en crise. Une relation fragile et intense se noue entre les deux, faite de bribes des dialogues, de ragrds, d'échanges muets, de compassion. Mais le piège s'est déclenché. Et le policier n'aura pas le choix d'y succomber.

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