For Women, Chapter 1

For many years, market woman Addi has been helplessly exposed to the ever-increasing aggression of her husband Max. His physical and emotional abuse has become part of her everyday life, from which she cannot find a way out. Due to her economic dependence on Max and the passivity of those around her, every attempt to escape leads her back to her husband. When Addi accidentally learns of the existence of a women's shelter, this is her long-awaited escape from violence and she flees to the facility with her son. Strengthened by the solidarity among the women, she founds a shared flat with others in order to regain her long-suppressed freedom. Director Cristina Perincioli had the story developed and acted out by residents of Germany's first women's shelter in West Berlin.

Anna and Edith are colleagues at an insurance company. Their male chef uses the women's business success to his own advances. Anna's husband would prefer her to be at home. Anna and Edith become a couple, but it doesn't end with a romantic rendez-vous. Together, and with the help of their female colleagues, they want to improve their work conditions.