THE WITCH'S CRADLE (1943) - Silent Short Film by Maya Deren

Maya Deren's second (and never completed) film, shot in August and September of 1943 at Peggy Guggenheim's Art of This Century gallery in Manhattan. Deren's intent is not entirely clear, but the general theme appears to involve ritual magic - a subject which became increasingly important to her as she undertook an intensive study of Haitian Vodou. (I would note that, at least in this film, such practices seem to be depicted as a source of pain or consternation.) The pentagram on Pajorita Matta's forehead reads, "End is the beginning is end..."

Directed by Maya Deren

Pajorita Matta (uncredited) as The Girl
Marcel Duchamp (uncredited) as The Artist