When Smoke Sauna Sisterhood opens, in deep winter, the forest scene might be something by Currier & Ives: a snow-frosted cabin surrounded by tall trees, the aesthetic perfection approaching kitsch. But there’s also the ferocity on the face of Kadi Kivilo, captured in tight close-up, as she hacks away at the surface of a frozen lake. Spending time through the seasons with Kivilo and the other women who share a remote sauna with her — and take turns immersing themselves in the natural plunge pool she’s carved out — Anna Hints’ documentary strikes a bold balance between intense intimacy and respectful distance.
At the heart of the handsome film is a living tradition, the smoke sauna of Estonia’s Vana-Võromaa region, a custom that’s been recognized by Unesco as an intangible cultural heritage. The sauna is “a sacred place where you cleanse yourself,” as the eldest woman in the film describes it.
At the heart of the handsome film is a living tradition, the smoke sauna of Estonia’s Vana-Võromaa region, a custom that’s been recognized by Unesco as an intangible cultural heritage. The sauna is “a sacred place where you cleanse yourself,” as the eldest woman in the film describes it.
- 11/27/2023
- by Sheri Linden
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
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