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The Witch of Kings Cross

In 1950s Sydney, bohemian artist Rosaleen Norton hits the headlines with allegations of satanic rituals, obscene art and sex orgies. She worships the God Pan, and practices trances and sex magic, inspired by the work of occultist, and artist Aleister Crowley. Eventually the relentless scandals lead to the downfall of her high society lover, Sir Eugene Goossens. Told ‘in her own words’, this genre-bending film weaves stylized drama and erotic dancers with never-before-seen artworks, diaries and
scrapbooks. The Witch of Kings Cross is the fascinating portrait of a fearless woman outlaw railing against fearful conservative forces and an insight into the work of an uncelebrated genius.

  • Sonia Bible
    Director
    Recipe For Murder, Muriel Matters!
  • Sonia Bible
    Writer
    Recipe For Murder, Muriel Matters!
  • Sonia Bible
    Producer
  • Peter Butt
    Producer
    Who Killed Dr Bogle and Mrs Chandler, The Prime Minister is Missing
  • Kate Elizabeth Laxton
    Key Cast
    "Rosaleen Norton"
  • Edward Gill
    Cinematographer
  • Sonia Bible
    Editor
  • Fiona Strain
    Editor
  • Project Type:
    Documentary, Feature
  • Genres:
    Art, biography, history, hybrid, dance
  • Runtime:
    1 hour 15 minutes 13 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    August 31, 2020
  • Production Budget:
    350,000 AUD
  • Country of Origin:
    Australia
  • Country of Filming:
    Australia
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Black & White and Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
  • L'Etrange Festival
    Paris
    France
    September 3, 2020
    World Premiere
    Official Selection
  • Abertoir Horror Festival
    Abertoir
    United Kingdom
    October 30, 2020
    UK Premiere
  • European Cinematography Awards

    July 31, 2020
    Winner Best Editing in a Documentary
  • Sydney Womens International Film Festival
    Sydney
    Australia
    November 28, 2020
  • MonsterFest
    Sydney
    Australia
    November 4, 2020
    Australian Premiere
  • North Europe International Film Festival
    London
    United Kingdom
    March 20, 2021
  • Romford Festival
    Romford
    United Kingdom
    March 12, 2021
  • Idyllwild International Festival of Cinema
    Idyllwild
    United States
    March 5, 2021
    USA Premiere
    Winner Indie Spirit Award Director of Documentary Film
  • New York International Film Awards
    New York
    United States
    January 31, 2021
    Winner Best First Time Producer - Sonia Bible
  • New York International Film Awards
    New York
    United States
    January 31, 2021
    Winner Best Choreography - Maya Sheridan
  • New York Cinematography Awards
    New York
    United States
    March 31, 2021
    Finalist Best Cinematography - Edward Gill
  • Chicago Indie Film Awards
    Chicago
    United States
    January 31, 2021
    Winner Best Female Filmmaker - Sonia BIble
Distribution Information
  • Journeyman Pictures
    Sales Agent
    Country: United Kingdom
    Rights: All Rights
Director Biography - Sonia Bible

Sonia Bible is an internationally award-winning writer/director. Her debut film, the 52-minute ‘Recipe For Murder’ won a Silver Hugo Award at Chicago International Film Festival 2011, the Australian NSW Premier's History Award and was a ratings juggernaut for ABC Television in 2011. ‘Recipe For Murder’ was sold into multiple territories worldwide.

Her next film, the half hour ‘Muriel Matters’ screened at Cork International Film Festival 2014, Sheffield Videotheque, Adelaide Film Festival and was broadcast on ABC Arts and the BBC UK. Sonia studied screenwriting at UTS and runs her own production company Black Jelly Films, where she directs and edits digital and interactive content. ‘The Witch of Kings Cross’ is her first feature.

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

To be faithful to the spirit of Rosaleen Norton, I was compelled to take risks with the creative direction of the film. I wanted to visualize her inner world and beliefs to make her artwork more accessible. I felt strongly that the film should be erotic, because it was really Norton’s sexuality that made her notorious. I have a background in music, and immediately noticed many references to classical music in Norton’s art. Casting dancers as Pan, Lilith and Lucifer from Norton’s work seemed like an exciting idea. Gods and goddesses with sexy, writhing bodies, performing on an underground bohemian stage, represent Norton’s trances and experiences in sex magic.

Text from Norton’s diaries drive the story in a ‘rock doco’ aesthetic, with animated artworks, scrapbooks, thoughts and poetry. Archive photos and footage are interweaved with some striking ‘otherworldly’ scenes created with green screen footage and artistic digital compositing. The film is a moving exhibition of the rare and extraordinary art and artefacts that we have unearthed and documented over the years. For some, I hope it will be a window into the world of an uncelebrated genius.