1990 | dir. Nietzchka Keene | 78 min
Set in medieval Iceland, The Juniper Tree follows Margit (Björk, in a riveting performance) and her older sister Katla (Bryndis Petra Bragadottir) as they flee for safety after their mother is burned to death for witchcraft. Finding shelter and protection with Johan (Valdimar Orn Fygenring), and his resentful young son, Jonas (Geirlaug Sunna Pormar), the sisters help form an impromptu family unit that’s soon strained by Katla’s burgeoning sorcery. A potent allegory for misogyny and its attendant tragedies, The Juniper Tree is a major rediscovery for art house audiences. Restored in 4K from the original 35mm camera negative and sound elements.
Special Features:
- New 4K restoration from the original 35mm camera negative
- 3 newly remastered short films by Nietzchka Keene
- New video interview with cinematographer Randy Sellars
- Archival video interview with Nietzchka Keene
- Never before seen outtakes
- U.S. Theatrical Trailer
- New essays by Amy Sloper, Angeline Gragasin, and Patrick Moyroud
“A young Björk enchants in her film acting debut”
- Glenn Kenny, The New York Times
“A major rediscovery”
- Richard Brody, The New Yorker
“An ethereal gem... dark and delightful and ripe for rediscovery”
- David Ehrlich, IndieWire
“Come for the Bjork, yes, but stay for the Keene”
- Angeline Gragasin, Screen Slate
The Juniper Tree was restored courtesy of the Wisconsin Center for Film & Theater Research and The Film Foundation, with funding provided by the Hobson/Lucas Family Foundation.
Please note this blu-ray release is locked for Region A (North America, Central America, South America, Japan, North Korea, South Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Southeast Asia).
