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SMOKE SAUNA SISTERHOOD

Anna Hints
EE FR IS 2023    89'
⚬ Human Interest 

Synopsis

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.

Quotes

"a film that places you in the moment of relaxation, conveys the sense of a cleansing that is both physical and spiritual. Here, you are free to say anything, trivial or significant." - Screen Daily

"a cathartic and lovely experience" - Paste Magazine

"an unforgettable experience" - POV Magazine

Credits

Director

Anna Hints

Producer

Marianne Ostrat

Co-Producers

Juliette Cazanave, Hlín Jóhannesdóttir

Production Company

Alexandra Film

Co-Production Company 

Kepler22 Productions, URSUS PARVUS

Cinematography

Ants Tammik

Writer

Anna Hints

Editors

Hendrik Mägar, Tushar Prakash, Martin Männik, Qutaiba Barhamji, Anna Hints

Music 

Edvard Egilsson & EETER

Sound Designer

Huldar Freyr Arnarson

Sound Recording

Tanel Kadalipp, Patrick Tubin McGinley

"Smoke Sauna Sisterhood is a film that places you in the moment of relaxation, conveys the sense of a cleansing that is both physical and spiritual. Here, you are free to say anything, trivial or significant." - Screen Daily

 

"a film that weaves a spell" - The Guardian

 

"a cathartic and lovely experience" - Paste Magazine

 

"A seemingly unassuming documentary that begins with light stories, Smoke Sauna Sisterhood quickly becomes a poignant work of art." - Sunshine State Cineplex

 

"an intimate, visceral immersion..." - The Film Verdict 

 

"a masterpiece" - Cinema Femme

 

"Hints manages to create an ethereal and magical space..." - Cineuropa

 

"an unforgettable experience" - POV Magazine

 

"empowering" - Roger Ebert

 

"...a visceral and profoundly deep film.” - Reel News Daily

 

"vibrantly intimate" - Vox

 

"...a startling achievement, a tidal wave of emotion...” - Film Companion

 

"The film’s intimacy, combined with universally poignant themes, makes Smoke Sauna Sisterhood a rare, much-needed cinematic escape." - Cinemacy

 

"….offers a world of emotional freedom" - Eye For Film 

 

"refreshing, heartbreaking, and empowering" - Next Best Picture

 

"magnificent visual poetry" - Financial Times

 

Awards

Directing Award: World Cinema Documentary

Sundance Film Festival 2023

McBaine Documentary Feature Award 

SFFILM 2023

Newsweek Psychologia Award

Millennium Docs Against Gravity 2023

Special Mention The City Of Poznań Freedom Award

Millennium Docs Against Gravity 2023

Eurimages Audentia Award 2023

 

Special Jury Mention International Docummentary Feature

Guanajuato International Film Festival 2023

Best Film by a Female Director

Sofia Documental 2023

Special Mention

Riga IFF 2023

Special Mention

CinEast 2023

Best Film

All About Freedom Festival 2023

Outstanding Female-Led Feature Film

Cinéfest Sudbury IFF 2023

FIPRESCI Award

Viennale 2023

Best Baltic Film 

Tallinn Black Nights FF 2023

Best Cinematography

IDA Documentary Awards 2023

European Documentary

European Film Awards 2023

Outstanding Cinematography

Cinema Eye Honors 2024

Grand Prix International Documentary

FIPADOC 2024

Edvard Egilsson (Composer)

HARPA Nordic Film Composers Award 2024

 

Best Documentary

Eddan Icelandic Film Awards 2024

Best Director

Estonian Film & TV Awards 2024

Best Cinematographer

Estonian Film & TV Awards 2024

Best Sound Design

Estonian Film & TV Awards 2024

Best Documentary

Estonian Film & TV Awards 2024

 

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Festivals

Sundance 2023

CPH:DOX 2023

Hong Kong IFF 2023

SFFILM 2023

Hot Docs 2023

Millenium Docs Against Gravity 2023

Sydney FF 2023

Sheffield DocFest 2023

Guanajuato FF 2023

Ambulante Documentary FF 2023

Zürich FF 2023

IDFA 2023

DOC NYC 2023

Zagreb FF 2023

Jio Mami Mumbai FF 2023

FIDOCS 2023

 

Film Details

Runtime 89'
Langauges Estonian, Seto, Võro
Production Countries Estonia, France, Iceland

Biography

Anna Hints is an Estonian film director with a background in contemporary art and experimental folk music. Anna has deep roots in the distinct culture of South Estonia. As an active dumpster diver, Anna’s short documentary FOR TOMORROW PARADISE ARRIVES initiated public discussion and growth of new grassroot movements against food waste in Estonia. Anna’s first feature length film SMOKE SAUNA SISTERHOOD premiered at the Sundance Film Festival World Cinema Documentary Competition in January 2023 and received the Directing Award. 

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