The Seekers Guide to Harry Potter

Hereditary shaman priestess Dr. Geo Trevarthen hosts this strange adaptation of her titular 2008 book exploring the mythical ties to symbolism in the Harry Potter septology by J.K. Rowling. Trevarthen, who also developed her course on the subject at the University of Edinburgh, here visits the Scottish capital where Rowling spent time writing in cafes. Combining location footage with shots of Trevarthen sitting back in bed quoting readings from the text (other scenes find her waving a sword and wand around and chanting), The Seekers Guide to Harry Potter also features close-ups of skulls, candles, and foliage, as well as a whimsical soundtrack. To be sure, anyone who has read the series knows that both death and life's meaning are central themes, and some of Trevarthen's comments here certainly reflect that. But more bizarre claims—such as Dumbledore being an “alchemical hermaphrodite”—perhaps come across more fluently in her book. Strictly optional. Aud: P. (J. Williams-Wood)