In 1595, a woman accused of witchcraft refuses to be silenced, leaving her free spirit and powerful voice to inspire a new generation.
Barlebas depicts the last days in the life of the headstrong woman Heylken (28). She is accused of witchcraft, just as she was about to leave her village for good.
While Heylken never gets to leave, she inspires young girl Griet (12) with her free spirit and powerful voice.
An experimental musical period drama, set in 1595 and centered on the persecution of witches in the Dutch South.
Malu Janssen (1989, Eindhoven) is a screenwriter and director based in Amsterdam. After studying Theater and Film Studies at the University of Utrecht she enrolled at the Netherlands Film Academy where she graduated in 2016 in directing fiction. Her short films EIGEN (2016, graduation film), STUFF (2019), A CAPPELLA IN D MINOR (2022, graduation film) and BARLEBAS (2024) have all traveled and won awards at the international film festival circuit.
She is in late development of her feature debut WE ARE LIGHT, about a small living commune, that strives to let go of food to live on light. The film is supported by the Netherlands Film Fund and produced by Family Affair Films. The script is based on the acclaimed novel by Gerda Blees.
