Episode 4 - Happy May Day, or The Wicker Man (1973)

Who would the Film Lady put inside her Wicker Man? 8/10 Rowan Hares for 1973 folk horror classic - The Wicker Man.In the fourth episode of Kino Royale, The Film Lady goes deeper — into the ancient roots of paganism, the Slavic gods, the Russian double faith, and why the old religion never actually died. From Beltane bonfires to birthday candles, from Dazbog to the Wicker Man's final flame — plus a genuine Russian separation spell to close, because some episodes demand it. Links:KR website: https://kinoroyale.net/Visual Companion on The Cinefile Blog The Wicker Man Scenario on Royal Simulator AppYT - Ivan Kupala - Kolyada (Zainka)YT - Ivan Kupala - Pchyoly (Bees)The Collected Tales of Nikolai GogolHorror Movie 'Viy' based on Gogol's tale, watch in full on YT hereFilm Lady Productions portfolio hereComprehensive book on Slavic Paganism, AmazonFollow me:@filmladyroyal on Bluesky, Letterboxd & InstagramDrop me a line: [email protected] used in prep for the ep - especially 2d part, Studies:Aitamurto, Kaarina — Paganism, Traditionalism, Nationalism: Narratives of Russian Rodnoverie (Routledge, 2016)Beliefnet — "The Pagan Origins of May Day": beliefnet.comBoston Public Library Blog — "Origins and Practices of Holidays: Beltane": bpl.orgBritannica — "Paganism": britannica.com/topic/paganismCelebrate Pagan Holidays — Statistics and Studies: celebratepaganholidays.comCultural Atlas — Russian Religion: culturalatlas.sbs.com.auDavies, Owen — Paganism: A Very Short Introduction (Oxford University Press, 2011)List25 — "25 Popular Holidays With Surprisingly Pagan Origins": list25.comneo-paganism.org — Pagan Demographics & CultureOnline Etymology Dictionary: etymonline.com/word/paganismPew Research Centre — "Russians Return to Religion, But Not to Church" (2014): pewresearch.orgPew Research Centre Global Survey 2025 (via Wild Hunt): wildhunt.orgRussia Beyond — "Is Slavic Paganism a Real Power in Russia?": rbth.comThalira — "Rodnovery: Modern Slavic Paganism and the Revival of Native Faith": thalira.comThe Conversation — "From Nordic Symbols to Sledgehammer Executions: Inside the Wagner Group's Neo-Pagan Rituals" (2024): theconversation.comThrough Eternity Tours — "7 Pagan Holidays We Still Celebrate Today": througheternity.comVCIOM — "Religion and Society: A Monitoring Study" (June 2025): wciom.comWigington, Patti — "History of Beltane and May Day," LearnReligions.comWikipedia — Beltane, Easter, Halloween, Christmas, May Day, Modern Paganism, Paganism, Religion in Russia, Slavic Native Faith, Slavic Native Faith in Russia, Valentine's Day — Wikipedia entriesMusic for bg - all tracks are royalty free via Free Music Archive — CC BY.Recorded & edited via Audacity free software.