Fest #3 Las Brujas De Zugarramurdi

Witches take center stage for this Spanish thriller directed by Alex de la Iglasia. It's got everything you would expect of a robbery-gone-wrong-Basque-flying witch-earth mother-messiah rumination, with lots of blood and tangled interpersonal relationships to add depth to the characters. Child-rearing philosophy takes center stage as Jose, posing as Jesus, takes young Sergie along to knock over a pawn shop in Madrid. It was Jose's turn with the boy, and he makes it a very special day, along with his fellow unemployed sidekick and a taxi driver who goes along for the ride. Jose falls for Luna -- not too much pressure there -- and together they attempt to escape from a ceremonial ritual that's something to see. Fast-paced, with lots of flying witches that take the film in unexpected directions. The ending leaves you wanting more finger food to carry you through to the sequel that seems promised at the conclusion. AKA Witching and Bitching, the film has both, as well as a frenetic style that kept most of us awake past midnight. Snack table remains pretty full.