Screenwritten Spells: Portrayals of the Witch in Early Cinema

Authors

  • Delia Enyedi Faculty of Theatre and Film, Babeș-Bolyai University, Cluj-Napoca, Romania

Keywords:

early cinema, witch, witchcraft, screenwriting, cinema of reference, monstration, narration, adaptation

Abstract

The reassessment of early films outside a teleological perspective on the evolution of cinema disclosed them as representing a form of late nineteenth century stage entertainment. Although defined by non-narrativity, catalogues of the era included a significant number of titles seemingly indicating literary
adaptations. Exploring the screenwriting practices of early cinema reveal them as making only limited references to famous literary works known to the audiences, by re-enacting key moments or famous scenes. The paper selects early films revolving around witchcraft in order to discuss the intertextual narrative construction of the witch archetype within the context of this cinema of reference.

Author Biography

Delia Enyedi, Faculty of Theatre and Film, Babeș-Bolyai University, Cluj-Napoca, Romania

Delia Enyedi is Assistant Professor Ph.D. in the Cinematography and Media Department, Faculty of Theatre and Film, Babeș-Bolyai University, Romania. Her research interests include silent cinema history and aesthetics. She co-edited Regards sur le mauvais spectateur/ Looking at the Bad Spectator (2012) and is revising for publication her doctoral dissertation on Hungarian theatre and silent film artist Jenő Janovics.

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Published

2021-02-02

How to Cite

Enyedi, D. (2021). Screenwritten Spells: Portrayals of the Witch in Early Cinema. Studia Universitatis Babeș-Bolyai - Dramatica, 65(1), 191–201. Retrieved from https://dramatica.ro/index.php/j/article/view/39