*SPECIAL BONUS EPISODE!* Fantasy, Folklore & Film: "Motherwitch" with Minos Papas

The History of Cyprus Podcast

Itsy bitsy sausages
Black hilted knife
Eat and depart
To the place of no return*

If you're like me, you've almost certainly heard the stories. Light your fireplace. Set your colanders out. Placate them with food and desserts until the Epiphany bells ring. Then -- and only then -- will they return to the underworld. Ironically, the Twelve Days of Christmas could be a terrifying time. And for some growing up in Cyprus, they certainly were.
By now, I'm sure you've figured out what I'm referring to: I'm talking about the malodorous, beastial and malicious goblins -- the καλικάντζαροι (kalikantzari). I've always wondered where these stories might have originated, what these creatures represented and even what they might have looked like. Imagine my surprise (and joy) to find out that they're making their way to the BIG screen!
For this incredible episode, I'm joined by filmmaker, Minos Papas, who talks to me about his latest film, "Motherwitch: Δωδεκάμερον," which is slated for a 2025/2026 global release. The movie, set in 19th century Cyprus, stars Margarita Zachariou as Eleni, "an outcast painter, [who] tries to resurrect her dead children but unleashes a horde of creatures upon her village" (IMDb). Motherwitch, which is partially funded by Cypriot Department of Cultural Service, also stars Athos Antoniou, John Hughes and Miltos Yerolemou (of Game of Thrones fame).
Minos and I discuss the art of film, the origins of Kalikantzari in Cypriot folklore and imagination, the work that went into the pre and post production and finally, what we can expect in the coming months. Though a work of fiction and fantasy, Motherwitch excites me as it is a culmination of years of research, and painstaking attention to historical accuracy and detail. It is a movie which strives to be a faithful to the period, capturing not only the look and feel, but the language and customs of the time. This is the first time Cyprus' culture will make its way to the Big Screen.
You can support Motherwitch in its distribution here where you can access a sneak peek to some scenes from the movie!
---->Motherwitch Kickstarter
---->Motherwitch Instagram
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*These words are typically said while "feeding" the Kalikantzari