Sorceress (1987)

In the heart of a secluded medieval hamlet in France, the narrative of "Sorceress" unfurls. Our protagonist is Etienne de Bourbon, a 13th-century Dominican friar dispatched by the Pope himself on a mission to root out heresy and safeguard the sanctity of the Church. His aim leads him to a tranquil village, a place seemingly untouched by time, where tradition and mystery intertwine under the watchful eye of the local priest. In this forgotten corner of the world, Etienne stumbles upon an enigmatic forest-dwelling woman named Elda. She is a beacon of hope for the village women, a tender guardian who uses her profound knowledge of the ancient arts of healing to cure sick children. With a gentle touch and an arsenal of nature's secrets—leaves, seeds, bark—Elda mends, heals, and brings comfort. However, when the situation demands, she escorts anxious mothers and their ailing children to a sacred grove, a place where a unique ritual unfolds under the moonlight. One fateful night, Etienne, driven by curiosity and his duty, covertly witnesses this grove rite. The scene horrifies him, igniting a spark of suspicion in the friar's mind. He's caught between his duty to the Church and the villagers' unwavering faith in Elda's healing abilities. Despite resistance from the local priest and the villagers' indifference, Etienne embarks on a relentless investigation, painting Elda as his prime suspect. "Sorceress" is a tale that condemns judgment and explores the conflict between tradition and dogma, faith and fear. It pulls you into a world of suspicion and superstition, where the line between heresy and survival is blurred, and the fight for truth becomes a battle against time itself.

Sorceress is a drama movie featuring Christine Boisson and directed by Suzanne Schiffman.

Sorceress is currently streaming for free (ad-supported) on Kanopy.

It is also possible to buy Sorceress on Amazon Video.