Friday, September 8, from 20:30
At CinÉma Elvire Popesco

About the film

Documentary, 89’, 2023, Estonia
Directed by: Anna Hints

The Vana-Võromaa (region in South Estonia) smoke sauna tradition is one of connecting family and friends to cleanse body and soul inside a place of peace and contemplation. Conflicts are left outside. The history of the smoke saunas as a place of giving birth inspired director Anna Hints to focus on women who “come together in the protective darkness of the smoke sauna, share their deepest secrets and wash off the shame that has accumulated in their bodies”. The first documentary by an Estonian director to compete and win at Sundance, Smoke Sauna Sisterhood is a deeply moving, intimate and breathtaking approach to issues of trauma, healing, and community, showing women “as they are” with deep empathy.