Sorcières : chronique d'un massacre

This documentary examines the persecution of suspected witches in the French Basque region during the early 17th century. The film focuses on the 1609 trials led by Pierre de Lancre, an Inquisition judge appointed by Henry IV, which resulted in 80 people being burned at the stake. Through the perspective of historians and an essayist, the production analyzes the mechanisms of violence and the broader European phenomenon that claimed between 40,000 and 60,000 lives from the 15th to the 17th centuries.

Directed by Marie Thiry, this production is a co-production between France and Spain, supported by organizations including ARTE and the CNC. The film features contributions from historian Nicole Jacques-Lefèvre, historian Jan Machielsen, and essayist Mona Chollet, with narration provided by Anna Flori-Lamour and Cédric Zimmerlin. With a runtime of 88 minutes, the work blends history, drama, and crime elements to reconstruct the events of the Labourd trials.