Thermae Romae

Synopsis

In ancient Rome, architect Lucius Modestus is stuck in a creative slump, unable to come up with fresh designs. Feeling discouraged, his friends try to lift his spirits by bringing him to a local bathhouse. But even there, Lucius finds the noise and commotion overwhelming until he decides to submerge himself in the water. Unexpectedly, this action reveals a hidden passage that leads to a modern Japanese bathhouse, giving him the burst of inspiration he was sorely missing. Armed with ideas that seem ahead of their time compared to his own era, Lucius sets out to replicate the wonders he saw. While his attempts fall short because of the technological limitations of his period, the innovative nature of his work might still capture public attention and help restore his standing as an architect.