Running time: 65 minutes
Starring: Nathaniel P. Erlandsson, Robin Franzén, Carl Sundström
Directed by: Carl Sundström
The story: When three documentary filmmakers hear about a lake where innocent women accused of witchery were drowned in the 17th century, they set out to find the place known as The Witch Path which leads to The Witch Lake. However, with both the path and the lake closed off and the local township unwilling to answer why, the three filmmakers set out to discover why.
The verdict: The found footage genre is a tried and tested genre in film, especially horror, and so any new found footage film will need to provide audiences with something new if it wants to stand out. Documenting the Witch Path, whilst similar to other films such as The Blair Witch Project, does make an attempt to differentiate itself - however to explain exactly how would be a plot spoiler and End Seat does not believe in plot spoilers!
Documenting the Witch Path begins with three filmmakers who have decided to make a documentary feature. Their interest has been particularly piqued by tales of the Witch Lake, which they plan to visit. This interest is heightened even more after phone calls made to the township where the lake is located are met with strange and evasive answers. Now even more determined to solve the mystery of the mysterious Witch Lake, the filmmakers decide to head out to the lake and set up camp.
Documenting the Witch Lake works really well at drawing in the audience. The relationship between the three filmmakers felt really genuine and natural and the audience feels like a fourth friend along for the ride. As the strange happenings surrounding the lake increase, the sense of foreboding and intrigue increases, and I did feel invested in what was going to happen. The film kept me engaged throughout and I did even mutter "ooh" a few times, so the film works well at setting a spooky and creepy atmosphere.
Where Documenting the Witch Path becomes harder to critique is in its twist and finale. I think that this is the aspect of the film that will prove most divisive to audiences and you will either find yourself really buying into it or it may just completely infuriate you. If I am honest, I am still not entirely sure on which side of the fence I fall on to. It wasn't what I was expecting so in that way it does work well as a twist and as a way to flip the audience's expectations. However, where I was previously really invested in what was happening, the ending didn't give me quite the same investment. One thing that I can say is that the ending will definitely provoke discussion and debate.
One of the things that I liked most about Documenting the Witch Path was its origins. Made on a limited budget with a tiny crew, Documenting the Witch Path is another great example of independent filmmakers going out into the world and just making films.
Overall, this is a film that I did really enjoy. The sixty-five minute running time flew by and even though I am still unsure of the ending, I do like that it has a divisiveness that will really get under audience's skin.
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