Exekution: A Study of Mary

A stark, hypnotic slideshow of striking black-and-white images that feels more like a haunting meditation than a conventional film.

Directed by

Elfi Mikesch

Genres

History, Drama

Starring

Heinz Emigholz, Berryt Bohlen, Polo Espinoza

Overview

This film is in effect a slideshow of exquisite single photographic images in sparkling black and white, representing Mikesch’s own version of Mary Stuart. “The drama of a woman who attempted a kind of liberal emancipation in a time of upheaval, but got caught in the snares of men,” in her words. Confronted with layers and layers of conflicting information about “how it really was” Mikesch decided not to try to be a historian, but to radicalise the narrative and condense it into striking images of passion, power, love, pain and death.

How it feels

Slow-burning and demanding.

About

Power, gender, betrayal, death

Content

Mild violence and sexual content. No gore or swearing.

Note

Written by AI, so it can be wrong. Full breakdown

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