MOVIE REVIEW
Sauna Day (Sannapäiv)
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Genre: Drama, Short
Year Released: 2024
Runtime: 13m
Director(s): Anna Hints, Tushar Prakash
Writer(s): Anna Hints, Tushar Prakash
Cast: Rasmus Kaljujärv, Agur Seim, Olev Pant, Karep Rutov
Language: Estonian with English subtitles
Where To Watch: showing at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival

RAVING REVIEW: As the short film SAUNA DAY begins,  you're transported to a place where the steam isn't just about the heat but the warmth of unspoken stories and the comfort of shared silences. This film wraps viewers in the misty embrace of Southern Estonian traditions, where every droplet seems to tell a tale.

SAUNA DAY, directed by Anna Hints and Tushar Prakash, is a rich exploration of culture and creativity, blending Estonia's deep-seated traditions with vibrant global perspectives. Hints, drawing from her Estonian roots and international experiences, particularly in India, paints a broad stroke of local customs. Meanwhile, Prakash shakes up traditional storytelling with his innovative narrative structures learned at the National Polish Film School, challenging viewers to rethink their cinematic expectations.

This film's narrative revolves around the cyclical concept of time, a core element of the Estonian sauna experience. It reflects life's recurring cycles and the rituals that define community life. The storyline flows through a single day yet captures a timeless and immediate depth. Here, the ordinary becomes extraordinary, revealing the profound bonds formed in the most mundane moments.

SAUNA DAY blurs the lines between reality and performance. The direction ensures a seamless blend, where even the viewer might need help to separate the performer from the performance. This is aided by astute cinematography, with wide shots and prolonged pulling, which draws the audience into a shared communal space, spotlighting personal, intimate moments within the broader narrative. This is all done in just 13 minutes, which is incredible on its own, but its shortened runtime may also be its most significant hindrance, leaving the audience wanting to know more.

The film also probes the dynamics of traditional gender roles and community labor, contrasting the tangible efforts of building a shared space with the intangible emotional exchanges within the sauna's steamy walls. It's a narrative exploring how shared tasks can define and strengthen communal and individual identities.

Working with cinematographer Ants Tammik, Hints harnesses techniques developed during their previous collaboration, SMOKE SAUNA SISTERHOOD, to capture the sauna's challenging conditions. Their meticulous planning and camera choreography immerse viewers in the enveloping warmth, enhancing the film's emotional impact.

In their third collaborative venture and second as co-directors, SAUNA DAY showcases the evolving synergy between Hints and Prakash. Their fusion of diverse cultural insights and creative methodologies advances their artistic journeys and enriches their collective filmography. Each project they undertake continues to refine their unique cinematic voice, offering fresh perspectives on familiar themes.

More than a mere movie-watching experience, SAUNA DAY delves into themes of cultural identity, the passage of time, and the intrinsic human craving for connection. Its thoughtful pacing and compelling storytelling draw viewers into a reflection on a tradition that, while simple, resonates with a profound, almost universal appeal. It stands as a testament to the power of local narratives to resonate globally, affirming that genuine storytelling can bridge cultures and touch hearts worldwide.

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[photo courtesy of STELLAR FILM]

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