Episode 421: Belladonna of Sadness (1973)

Released in 1973. Eiichi Yamamoto’s Belladonna of Sadness is an animated story of Jeanne and Jean, two poor young people in France during the Middle Ages who get married. However, when the Jean can’t pay the local ruler ten cows in tribute for their wedding, the ruler decides to take his payment out of Jeanne via by deflowering her. This sets the tone for the film and our young couple’s relationship.

Hell's Belles Heather Drain and Kat Ellinger join Mike to discuss the film, feminism, witchcraft, and self-empowerment.