Actualités

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.