Miesten vuoro

It's a concept that seems both bizarre and confronting - watching Finnish men sit in a sauna and listening to them talk about their lives. We witness an emotional and physical steam. The premise is so basic that it comes as a shock just how moving this documentary turns out to be. 'Steam of Life' is a 2010 Finnish documentary directed by Joonas Berghall and Mika Hotakainen. They film men as they talk about their lives in a way that is sometimes painfully slow for the audience, and at the same time painfully difficult for the men. They talk about their families, those that they love, their dreams and aspirations. We see just as many unique saunas as we see unique souls that have been severely affected by the rigors and demands of life. It is a deeply moving documentary, both for the men who tell their stories and for the audience who listens to them. The sauna is a haven of physical and emotional release. And in our journey from sauna to sauna around the country, we listen to incredible stories and witness unique individuals that remind us of the complexities of humanity.

Perhaps the most confronting aspect of the film, initially, is that the men are completely naked. This conveys the vulnerability of the men who defy Finnish stereotypes to open up emotionally to the camera. The focus on the men as human beings, without special effects, shows us that that documentary does not intend to hide any aspects of the individuals. The directors also utilize the technique of framing the man speaking and the men listening in one camera shot, which has the effect of making the audience feel like they are in the sauna with the men and listening to their stories in an intimate environment.

The use of saunas in the film reflects their deeply held importance in Finnish culture. Saunas have great cultural significance and as we can see in the film, there are numerous styles and locations of saunas. These saunas provide Finnish people with a sense of community and belonging - it is a place where they can physically be revitalized and emotionally find a release. It seems fair that saunas almost hold a spiritual significance for the Finnish in the sense that they are a sanctuary. They are a place where any kind of person, with any history, can find solace and peace.

The stories that the men tell are deeply personal and moving. For example, some men talk about the pain of losing a child after a bitter divorce, others talks about the death of those they loved, while one man talks about his stepfather beating him as a child. The directors juxtapose light-hearted and comedic vignettes to create an emotional roller coaster that even further engages the audience. Perhaps the best example of this is when one man talks about a relationship with a companion that he adores. The audience can only be surprised when a brown bear looms into the frame and is presented as the companion that the man was talking about. The man's conversation with his bear, Juuso, is moving: "Right Juuso. You were only a boy when we had our sauna. A very little boy… Left without washing, did you? Yes, that's right. The bear has become a real friend to me. It's an intelligent animal, learns very fast. And it is a true, loyal friend indeed. Right, another one gone. This is the name of the game." His story might not be the norm, but it further emphasizes the main theme of the documentary - every individual has a story that is incredible and completely unique to them.

'The Steam of Life' is a wonderful exploration of Finnish culture, as well as the deep complexities of the individual. I enjoyed the film thoroughly. The simplicity and rawness of the men talking about their lives was unique and refreshing, and it allowed the audience to connect deeply with the individuals in the film. I found myself completely immersed during the emotionally moving stories that were told, as well as amused by the lighter moments that were strewn throughout.

I would most certainly recommend this film. It is like no documentary I have ever seen before, and the audience is engaged throughout. Additionally, it communicates strong messages about the nature of life and humanity, and how we are all united by the complexities of our past experiences. 'The Steam of Life' is most certainly worth viewing. It is an emotional roller coaster for all involved.

The documentary "Steam of Life" is not a typical Hollywood documentary and I felt it was very informative. Overall, I felt this film had a very good meaning, but I found it very hard to pay attention. The opening scene shows an elderly couple sitting in a sauna washing and hitting each other with small branches. I assumed this film was going to be about this one particular couple and their sentimental feelings toward their sauna. It said they have been washing each other for over 50 years and I believed it was going to be a love story and their connection towards the sauna. As usual, I was wrong in thinking I knew how a Nordic film was going to turn out. There were many different scenes of different groups, especially men talking about their problems and life stories. This film was dedicated to Finnish men and tries to demonstrate how saunas are a huge cultural aspect in Finland. The major themes used through out the documentary were men and nature. As mentioned earlier there were many different scenes where there were only men in the sauna. In fact, there is only one scene where there is a woman portrayed through out the documentary. Every scene in these saunas demonstrated men opening up to each other and discussing problems they have had. Usually men are portrayed in Nordic films as very masculine, but this film portrayed men as very sentimental towards past experiences. After doing some research on saunas in the Finnish culture, I found people tend to open up more while they are in the saunas. Maybe it's because they are very comfortable from the hot steam along with the cold beer or alcoholic beverage they drink. I say this only because almost every scene showed each member drinking an alcoholic beverage. Another important theme portrayed in the movie was the idea of nature. Almost every scene showed saunas being out in the middle of the woods or on an island. The Finnish culture, as do many Nordic countries include nature in their daily lives. The director really tries to incorporate this idea of nature into the documentary and I feel nature and the location of the saunas help the people in the movie open up. Being alone or with a group of friends out in the middle of the wilderness, makes one feel very comfortable, helping them open up about their feelings. Even though there are a couple of scenes in the city, the director incorporates snow and darkness to demonstrate this theme of nature. Through out the documentary, there is never a time where the camera is rotating. I found this to be very interesting, because there are very few times where I have scene this. The director uses the Dogme 95 technique of close-ups on the character's faces. This is especially scene when one is opening up to the other; giving the viewer a clear retrospect of how the character is feeling. The director also uses this technique when showing those who are listening to the disturbed man's problems. As I was watching these scenes, I almost felt as if I was sitting right next to them and I really felt for each character. Nudity also plays a significant role throughout the documentary. Every scene in the saunas has each character naked. Furthering my research on the documentary, I learned even the camera crew was naked while filming. I found this to be a very interesting and useful technique. The idea of having everyone naked, including the camera crew, would make one feel less comfortable, creating one to open up more. It's hard to think these characters are not acting, but just going about a discussion. I don't believe I would be able to open up, yet alone be filmed naked in a film. I mentioned earlier how this film was very informative. I say this only because; this would not be a typical Hollywood documentary. Most Hollywood documentaries are very formal and give a layout of facts about a certain subject. This documentary tried to make the viewer understand the Finnish culture without the incorporation of facts. Also, in many Hollywood documentaries, there is usually a narrator in the film. This film did not have a narrator and I found this to be very strange. I understand why the director didn't use a narrator, but it was just something I wasn't accustomed to. I give the film a 5 out of 10 rating, because I didn't find it to be very interesting. Also, I feel the film could've gotten the point across in a shorter length. I understood the whole meaning of film after the fifth scene and I feel the director dragged the film on way too long.

I'm a simple guy as far as movies go. Seagal movies are my favorites, followed closely by Ferrell-movies and such. I'm not generally into movies that are supposedly deep or emotional. Directing, acting, characters and pretty much everything can be sacrificed for the sake of entertainment.

Watching 'Steam of Life', however, brought tears to my eyes. I was not entertained, I was moved.

It's not entirely because of the stories the men shared. I know a lot of sad stories, and sad things happen all around the world, all the time. It's the way you can relate to the men. We are all different, but we have one thing in common: Sauna, and what sauna represents.

"Boys don't cry" In sauna, however, we can. And we have. There is a place in the world where we can stop trying to live up to other people's expectations. Where we can drop the mask, wash away the makeup (figuratively speaking) get the s*** off our chests.

I could speak objectively, about directing and camera angles and whatnot, but I honestly don't think it's necessary. What this movie represents is more important.

I would however like to mention the story about a grandad who chopped wood for grandma. That was one of the most beautiful things I have heard in a very long time.

I, a Seagal fan, will give this movie as many stars as I will ever give any movie, 9. Highly recommended. Finally it's men's turn.

This film really demonstrates the phenomena that when physically exposed in a sauna, people find it easier to be emotionally exposed and conversation becomes much deeper. Loved the sauna on the back of working agricultural equipment, and the "Phone Booth Sauna" LOL.

I had heard about this movie before, so I knew what to expect. But still it managed to make a clean cut like a hot knife through butter.

Being a Finnish ex-pat in Thailand it brought back memories, raw and uncut. And in some strange way made me feel proud of my heritage. Yes, I have built a sauna here in tropics.

Excellent. No corners cut. But I won't give it a 10 because of the one thing that is missing: Joy. That too is shared inside the confines of the sanctity of the sauna.

That said, I truly hope there won't be a sequel. The turn is up and it was well used.