One of the most remarkable women of the 20C, Marie-Louise von Franz was an 18 year old classicist when she first met the CG Jung, 40 years her senior. Deciding later to pursue analytical psychology she became respected internationally as much for her forensic psychotherapeutic skills as for encyclopædic knowledge of archetypal symbolism. Von Franz, who later founded the CG Jung Institute, conducted extensive research into the psychological significance of alchemy, fairy tales, and made a particular study of the evolution of human consciousness from its tribal roots to the nuclear individualism of the present day.

Towards the end of her long and distinguished career Marie-Louise von Franz filmed a series of discussions on life and the dynamics of the unconscious. Shot in 1985 by Fraser Boa, a Canadian film director and Marion Woodman’s brother, who studied analytical psychology under Marie-Louise von Franz at the CG Jung Institute in Zurich, the films capture her unique wisdom, which Boa intercuts with people on the street recounting dreams. She died in 1998.

Comments by previous delegates:
• It was a most stimulating, interesting and thought-provoking weekend, in very good company – and it all unfolded beautifully, interspersed with convivial refreshment. I'm so glad I came and am still reeling. IS-C
• All the films where intensely interesting and informative … especially as I hadn’t been that aware of the work of Marie-Louise von Franz. MT
• The booklet you produced was very helpful and that I can appreciate why people want to see the films more than once - it was a lot to take in in one weekend but a great introduction. Strangely, at a time when one would expect to have significant dreams - I have had none but no doubt they will come at some point. AW
• I feel that I have got such a lot from it – and something that will last a long time. PS
• A probing, challenging weekend. I enjoyed and was provoked by it - in the very best sense of the word. I very much enjoyed the small break-out group, and found myself amongst a group of deeply thoughtful, congenial, kind and like-minded individuals. Our discussions could easily have gone on for 2 hours instead of 30 minutes, each time. PW