Jan. 17, 2003|Italy | France | United Kingdom|90 Min.|n/A
Genre: Adult;Drama;Romance
Description: “The Soul Keeper” (2003) is a captivating drama that delves into the complex lives of its characters. Set in 1905, the film follows a 19-year-old girl admitted to a psychiatric hospital in Zurich after arriving from Russia in a critical state. Suffering from severe hysteria and refusing to eat, she becomes the patient of a young doctor, Carl Gustav Jung. Inspired by his mentor Sigmund Freud, Jung employs pioneering psychoanalytical techniques to treat her, sparking a profound and tumultuous journey of love, passion, and self-discovery.
Parallel to this, the story introduces Marie and Fraser, two academics—one French, the other Scottish—who meet in Moscow while researching the life of Russian psychoanalyst Sabina Spielrein. Their investigation uncovers Sabina’s harrowing past, beginning with her hospitalization in Zurich in 1904. Under Jung’s care, Sabina overcomes her hysteria and develops a deep interest in psychoanalysis, eventually engaging in a passionate affair with the doctor. However, their relationship is complicated by Jung’s marital commitments and moral dilemmas, leading to a dramatic and emotionally charged separation.
“The Soul Keeper” (original titles: “Prendimi l’anima” in Italian, “L’âme en jeu” in French) is a 2002 Italian-French-British romantic drama directed by Roberto Faenza. While loosely based on real events involving Sabina Spielrein and Carl Jung, the film explores themes of love, identity, and the transformative power of the human spirit.
Cast director: Roberto Faenza
Cast actor: Iain Glen, Emilia Fox, Craig Ferguson, Caroline Ducey, Bob Marchese
Original name: Prendimi l’anima