THE DEVIL’S BATH

Synopsis

Upper Austria in 1750: Agnes, a young married woman, doesn’t feel at home in her husband’s world. The deeply religious and highly sensitive woman withdraws into herself, moving further and further away from the rural world of work and everyday life. Ultimately, a shocking act of violence seems to be the only way out of her inner prison.
This profound and disturbing psychograph of a woman who hopes, searches and finally flees is based on historical records and charts a true, previously unexplored chapter of European (women’s) history.

Statement of the director(s)

In the 18th century, vernacular, melancholy people were said to be trapped in the “devil’s bath”. This devil’s bath refers to a phenomenon that is still a social taboo and major problem today: depression.