Fashion
“Smoke Sauna Sisterhood” offers an insightful look into a traditional Estonian sauna ritual
“Smoke Sauna Sisterhood” is a film that provides an intimate view into a traditional Estonian ritual. Focusing on women participating in a cleansing sauna experience, the movie delves into personal stories and reflections, showcasing the cultural significance of this practice. This Estonian Oscar entry offers a unique perspective on the ritual’s role in personal and communal purification.
“Smoke Sauna Sisterhood” is a documentary set in Estonia’s Vana-Võromaa region, showcasing a UNESCO-recognized smoke sauna tradition. The film, directed by Anna Hints, captures the intimate and transformative experiences of women who gather in a remote sauna throughout the seasons.
The narrative focuses on Kadi Kivilo and others as they engage in rituals like the long sweat, and openly discuss topics like childbirth, cancer, and personal traumas. The film emphasizes the female body in a natural, unglamorized way, with close-ups that respect the women’s privacy. Estonian folk music adds to the film’s exploration of tradition and transformation, culminating in a springtime scene that symbolizes renewal and communal bonding.
Full credits
Distributor: Greenwich Entertainment
Production companies: Alexandra Film, Kepler22 Productions, Ursus Parvus
Director-screenwriter: Anna Hints
Producer: Marianne Ostrat
Cinematographer: Ants Tammik
Editors: Hendrik Mägar, Tushar Prakash
Composers: Edvard Egilsson, EETER
Sound designer: Huldar Freyr Arnarson
Sound Recordist: Tanel Kadalipp
In Estonian, Seto and Võro
1 hour 32 minutes
