Baba Yaga (1973)

A photographer finds herself falling under the spell of a witch.

Director:

Corrado Farina

Writers:

Corrado Farina (adapted for the screen by), Guido Crepax (cartoon)

Stars:

Carroll Baker, George Eastman, Isabelle De Funès

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Carroll Baker	...	Baba Yaga
George Eastman	...	Arno Treves
Isabelle De Funès	...	Valentina Rosselli
Ely Galleani	...	Annette
Daniela Balzaretti	...	Romina
Mario Mattia Giorgetti	...	Carlo, Hippie in the Demonstration (as Mario Giorgetti)
Sergio Masieri	...	Sandro
Angela Covello	...	Toni
Cesarina Amendola	...	Baba Yaga's Neighbour
Mario Paolo Giordani
Carla Mancini
Giorgio Pellizone
Lorenzo Piani
Natalie E. Spleptzow
Rodolfo Zola

Storyline

Strange things have been happening to Valentina, a young and beautiful professional photographer, ever since she made the acquaintance of Baba Yaga, a mysterious older woman who gave her a lift home late one night. For one thing, Valentina has been having weird, kinky nightmares. For another, one of Valentina's cameras seems to have acquired a deadly curse. And then there was that visit to Baba Yaga's house, where Valentina discovered bizarre relics, including a dominatrix doll, and a bottomless pit in the living room. Valentina comes to realize that Baba Yaga is a witch who is out to possess her - body and soul.

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Plot Keywords:

fumetti | based on fumetti | woman in jeopardy | witch | photographer | 

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Genres:

Horror

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Certificate:

Unrated

Details

Country:

Italy France

Language:

Italian

Release Date:

20 September 1973 (Italy)

Also Known As:

Baba Yaga, Devil Witch

Filming Locations:

De Paolis Studios, Rome, Lazio, Italy

Company Credits

Production Co:

14 Luglio Cinematografica, Productions Simone Allouche, Rewind Film

Technical Specs

Runtime:

91 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Anne Heywood was originally cast as Baba Yaga but withdrew before filming and was successfully fined by the studio.

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Connections

References Nosferatu (1922)

User Reviews

If you like Godard, Try this.

Baba Yaga is the story of Valentine, a photographer who photographs women(just one is model is used throughout the movie however), usually in various states of undress. She meets the mystical Carroll Baker and becomes entranced with Baker(Mystically not sexually at first). Carroll Baker puts some sort of hex on Valentine's camera and ,everytime Valentine shoots a picture of an individual, she metaphorically, at least I think, injures them as well. Slowly, The attraction pulling Valentine to Baker's character evolves into a sexual one. Valenntine is lured to Baker's home, molested and whipped and saved in the end by her boyfriend. It is a fascinating movie. I will not say that it is a great movie cause there are a few things that the viewer is left wanting. Partly, It is, in my opinion at least, based on an adult comic book that was probably relevant more in 70's Italy, and partly because of censor's scissors that chopped a bit of the movie. Farina, the director, creates wonderful atmosphere and lures you in. Isabelle De Funes, as Valentine, is absolutely gorgeous and intriguing. The Blue Underground version of this film has the censored scenes that were cut out in the extra section of the DVD. Of note in that is a full frontal nude scene from Carroll Baker. Also, A twenty two minute interview with Corrado Farina who, though no great surprise, says Jean-Luc Goddard was an inspiration of his.