We begin in a peaceful, pastoral scene. Two women are foraging in the forest as sunlight dapples the leaves, illuminating the scene with a warm serenity. Mabel and Esther gather mushrooms and share slices of apples. Neither can imagine the fate that awaits them.
Nothing seems out of the ordinary until Ester stumbles across a clearing in the forest that is ripe with mushrooms. In the air hangs a nebulous dust that shimmers in the light. The ethereal scene enchants Ester. But there is more to the clearing than meets the eye. Lili comes slinking into view, though remains invisible to Esher who is unaware of the danger she is in. The dark, peculiar creature breathes a grey cloud that consumes Esther, infecting her with some evil spirit. Ester becomes possessed by Lili. Mabel, finds Ester writhing on the ground as the invisible Lili pulls wicked strings attached to her soul.
Mabel recognises the signs possession and runs to fetch the local priest, who attempts to perform an exorcism. His religious chanting is the only dialogue throughout the film, which is an interesting stylistic choice that works very well in this context. Despite the priest’s intense efforts, the presence of satanic force is too strong. As the worried Mabel watches over Ester, the devilish creature take the opportunity to claim another soul. To his horror, the priest begins to lose both women. And he is next on the victim list.
Matthew Webb tells a stunningly chilling tale with The Glade of Ardet Lili, conjuring a manifestation of the fears that plagued people hundreds of years ago, in a time when women were accused of witchcraft. Webb’s vision is brought to life by four terrific actors. The two young women, played by Stefania Barr and Stacey Jenson capture the erratic movement of the possessed with unsettling conviction. Paris Warner as Ardet Lili takes the bodily importance of acting to the next level with her fluid, almost gymnastic, representation of the woodland demon. Warner manages to strike fear into the hearts of the viewers with her wordless performance. David H. Stevens as the priest delivers a powerful and emotional act. His voice cuts through the film, grounding it further in an era of devil-fearing superstition.
Faina Rudshteyn does an excellent job in the film’s make-up department, her role being key to the believability of Ardet Lili’s existence. A final flourish to this outstanding example of what short film can achieve is the soundtrack, composed by Christopher Doucet.
A spellbinding thriller.