It is based on the screenplay for Doris Dörrie’s new film of the same name, which will be released on September 1, although the comic was created without knowledge of the film, which was not yet completed at the time. The script was written by Dörrie along with Karin Kaçi and Madeleine Fricke and is loosely based on true events.
During the summer of the century, more and more women are looking to cool off and relax at the pool. The regular customers don’t like that at all, especially since some of the newcomers bathe in burkinis. This is understood as an attack on the freedom they fought for in feminism in the 1970s, and arguments ensue.
When the annoyed lifeguard quits at short notice and no successor can be found, a man of all people is hired. This causes the heated mood to boil over, an escalation seems inevitable.
In the microcosm of the outdoor pool, the comic deals with some themes of the socio-culturally diverse society. Body politics and the question of how women’s rights are defended and further fought for are just as much in the foreground as generational conflicts or cultural and religious differences.
This is how feminist discourses are formed here, which can be transferred to society as a whole. However, the story remains airy and easily digestible thanks to humorous interjections and situations. You can think about all of this, but you don’t have to.
Stulin’s drawings pull the audience close to the action. Moods are empathetically captured by their soft lines, the protagonists have expressive facial expressions. Again and again the faces of the figures are in focus. The coloring is elaborate and is most effective in those moments when the perspective zooms out and the plot pauses for a moment.
“Freibad” fits seamlessly into Stulin’s work history. With her previous comic “At home with me” she also dealt with social issues in everyday life. Stulin describes drawing as a “paper mirror” for our world.
With this comic, you and the script team not only contribute to the social discourse. They also make the perfect summer read, one that’s thought-provoking and asks questions that are good to discuss over ice cream.
