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Smoke Sauna Sisterhood

Estonia/France/Iceland 2023
Dir: Anna Hints
Estonian, Seto, Võro / 89 mins

Release date: 13 October 2023
On demand: January 2024

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In the darkness of a smoke sauna, women share their innermost secrets and intimate experiences, washing off the shame trapped in their bodies and regaining their strength through a sense of communion.

Estonia's official entry for Best International Feature Film at the 96th Academy Awards®.

Smoke Sauna Sisterhood quad poster - featuring several women sat in a smoke sauna.
A still from the film Smoke Sauna Sisterhood. An image of the head and shoulders of a woman in the darkness of a smoke sauna. She has wet long blonde hair.
A still from the film Smoke Sauna Sisterhood. A woman stands in the dark of a smoke sauna holding a sauna whisk made of a tied bunch of green leaves.
A still from the film Smoke Sauna Sisterhood. A white woman sits in the darkness of a smoke sauna naked and breastfeeding a baby. Her face is cropped off the top of the image.
A still from the film Smoke Sauna Sisterhood. A woman swims in a hole cut in a frozen lake. Other women hold a wooden ladder steady for when she is ready to climb out. In the background a naked woman is removing her socks.
A still from the film Smoke Sauna Sisterhood. A woman sits in a smoke sauna with her back to the camera, water pours onto her back and is splashing off her shoulders.
A still from the film Smoke Sauna Sisterhood. Two women sit in the darkness of a smoke sauna. One has a bald head, the other has long blonde hair. They appear lost in thought.

Reviews

“This is a film that weaves a spell… dazzling documentary” ★★★★

— The Guardian

“An intimate and moving experience” ★★★★

— The i Newspaper

“An intangible marvel” ★★★★

— The Irish Times

“The visual poetry is magnificent”
★★★★

— Financial Times

“The word ‘intimate’ is too often attached to films; Anna Hints’ mesmeric documentary Smoke Sauna Sisterhood, however, truly earns that descriptor… powerful”

— Sight and Sound

"Deserving of its Sundance prize... beguiling" ★★★★

— The Observer

“Smoke Sauna Sisterhood’s hypnotic storytelling has the ability to lure you in and keep you hooked… It’s a powerful watch” ★★★★

— Time Out

“Mesmerising” ★★★★

— The Times

Awards

Sundance Film Festival 2023
Directing Award: World Cinema Documentary

SFFILM 2023
McBaine Documentary Feature Award

Millennium Docs Against Gravity 2023
Newsweek Psychologia Award

Eurimages Audentia Award 2023

Sofia Documental 2023
Best Film by a Female Director

All About Freedom Festival 2023
Best Film

Cinéfest Sudbury International Film Festival 2023
Outstanding Female-Led Feature Film

Viennale 2023
FIPRESCI Award

Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival 2023
Best Baltic Film

European Film Awards 2023
Best European Documentary

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