15 minutes of Crusades trauma, witchy bargains, and existential dread. Sleep tight!
A Knight Templar returns home from the Crusades in the Promised Land and has lost his faith in God due to his experiences fighting the infidels. When he passes a small village, a young woman is to be burned as a witch there at the same time. The crusader does not think twice, frees the mysterious beauty at the risk of his life and is seriously injured on the run. In the woods, the herbalist takes care of his injuries and nurses the Templar back to health. For her help, however, the mysterious woman demands a very high price...
Direction
The Henckel von Donnersmarck brothers' debut packs unnerving atmosphere
Production
Period detail punches above its micro-budget weight
Director
Sebastian Henckel von Donnersmarck
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Yes, THAT Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck—this student short predates The Lives of Others by four years.
The 15-minute runtime forces every frame to count; no wonder the brothers later obsessed over editing.
DE
