An experimental musical period drama, set around 1595 centered on the persecution of witches in the Dutch South. An ode to the voices of women.

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 the village for good. But while Heylken never gets to leave, she inspires young girl Griet (12) with her free spirit and powerful voice.

Malu Janssen (b. 1989, Eindhoven) is a screenwriter and director based in Amsterdam. After studying theater and film science at the University of Utrecht, she went to the National Film Academy in Amsterdam where she graduated in 2016 in Directing Fiction.

Her short films (EIGEN (2016), STUFF (2019), A Cappella in D Minor (2022) were part of competitions and won prices at international festivals such as PalmSprings Shortfest, Raindance and Seoul Film Festival. She has just finished her new short film BARLEBAS, a period drama with musical elements about the persecution of witches in the Netherlands.

She is currently in late development of her feature debut WE ARE LIGHT, about a living commune’s decision to stop eating and live on light, with far-reaching consequences.