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Hysteria (2001)
1st Year
Directed by Alys Scott-Hawkins
Synopsis
A documentary about mental health care in Victorian Britain detailing treatments such as clitoridectomy and genital massage. Not for the fainthearted.
Director's Statement
At a time when masturbation was thought to be seriously damaging to the health, patients diagnosed with hysteria were subjected to a brutal and physical 'cure' for the mental condition which produced symptoms such as fits or paroxysms. Several years later medical opinion changed, resulting in a more holistic and therapeutic form of treatment. Using cut-out and sand animation this film packs a curious chunk of medical history into a very small film.