Ahead of the Tribeca North American Premiere of Austrian filmmakers Veronika Franz and Severin Fiala‘s (Goodnight Mommy, The Lodge) latest shocker, The Devil’s Bath, Shudder has today shared the first official for the film. This haunting exploration of the complexities of religious beliefs, mental health and the societal pressures that can drive one to the brink of madness took home this year’s Berlin Film Festival Silver Bear following its world premiere.
Based on historical court records about a shocking, hitherto unexplored chapter of European history, and starring Anja Plaschg, David Scheid, Maria Hofstätter, the film gives a voice to the invisible and unheard women of the rural past.
Taking place in 1750 Austria, The Devil’s Bath centers on a deeply religious woman named Agnes who has just married her beloved, but her mind and heart soon grow heavy as her life becomes a long list of chores and expectations. Day after day, she is increasingly trapped in a murky and lonely path leading to evil thoughts, until the possibility of committing a shocking act of violence seems like the only way out of her inner prison.
A must watch, especially for fans of artfully executed genre cinema, The Devil’s Bath is coming to the IFC Center on June 21st and SHUDDER on 28th. Before then you can catch the film at this year’s Tribeca Film Festival (all screening details here).
