09/11/2023
Emma Swinton’s The Witch’s Daughter will be shown online on Monday, November Monday 13th at 7-30pm.
Based partly on true events, the film is set in 1612 and tells the story of how Lancashire nursemaid Sarra played by Bank of Dave star Jo Hartley helps to groom an impoverished nine-year-old, Jennet Device, to testify against her own family as they stand trial for witchcraft.
Emma said: “We had an amazing cast. I think it’s a testament to how important this story and this moment in history are, and the injustice that happened. Burn Gorman really connected to the script. Jo Hartley came on set and did a really emotional scene, and I was just crying because I was really feeling what she was channelling.”
For Emma and co-writer Emily Carlton, the film has been a long time coming, with the Barrowford director dreaming of bringing the story to life since her teens.
Although the project was filmed in Yorkshire due to budgeting costs, the film-maker, who grew up in Colne and Barrowford, said it meant the world to her to cast two local actresses and showcase the East Lancashire accent.
Bank of Dave and This is England star Jo Hartley is in The Witch's Daughter about the Pendle Witch Trials. Photographer: Lisa Stonehouse. Copyright: Bridie Films