The documentary The Smoke Sauna Sisterhood, directed by Anna Hints, unfurls with an entrancing opening tableau, featuring the solitary figure of a woman, Kadi Kivilo, adroitly navigating her way through the ice of a frigid lake. This arresting visual composition, set against a landscape swathed in a pristine snow blanket, serves to underscore the stark and almost austere beauty of the environment.

The camera’s intense close-up artfully captures Kivilo’s unwavering determination and fierce resolve, as she meticulously prepares for the revered ritual of the smoke sauna. This opening sequence not only captivates the audience but also invites them to partake in a ceremony that transcends mere physical cleansing, offering a ritualistic purging of impurities from both body and soul.

Ethereal Cinematography: Beyond the Ordinary

Hints’ debut documentary feature transcends the realms of the ordinary, drawing viewers into an ethereal and otherworldly domain. As tendrils of smoke fill the screen, they enwrap the audience in a metaphorical velvet ribbon, transporting them to a timeless and spatially ambiguous world, a realm exclusively inhabited by women. The film has garnered significant critical acclaim, securing the directing award at the Sundance World Cinema Documentary Competition and representing Estonia in its Oscar submission.

Historical and Cultural Significance

The narrative delves deeply into the enduring tradition of the smoke sauna in Estonia’s Vana-Võromaa region. This practice, with a rich history spanning over 800 years, continues to be observed with regularity today and has been recognised by UNESCO as a significant cultural heritage. Inspired by her grandmother, who first introduced her to the smoke sauna ritual, Hints uses the documentary as a profound reflection on the essence of womanhood and a tribute to this enduring tradition.

Hints’ film ignited within me a longing for a deeper connection with other women—a bond akin to those depicted among its participants. It also highlighted the superficial nature of my own friendships and my struggle to express myself without fear of judgment, ridicule, or becoming the subject of gossip.

Intimate Settings: The Sauna Cabin

Focusing on a modest, somewhat cramped sauna cabin discreetly tucked within the embrace of a forest, the documentary intermittently offers glimpses outside, where the women immerse themselves in cold waters. These fleeting views into the changing seasons of the outside world offer a stark contrast to the womb-like environment of the sauna.

In an engaging conversation with Amber Wilkinson for Eye for Film, Anna Hints accentuates the significance of nature’s embodied portrayal in the film, as it disrupts conventional linear temporality, suggesting instead that time is cyclical. Furthermore, she emphasizes the role of water as a therapeutic, eternal shapeshifter, adept at transforming its form from solid ice to ethereal steam, thereby symbolizing the fluidity and transformative power of nature.

‘This feeling of nature and this cyclical feeling is because the system where the smoke sauna belongs is, I think, the essence of the worldview I’m carrying. We have a different understanding of time, time is not linear, time is cyclic, everything is cyclic. When you’re in the smoke sauna, you’re inside, then you go out, you breathe, you come in, you go out, it’s like nature, it is in a constant cycle. I hoped that through that structure it gives you this kind of sense of timelessness or cyclicness. Water was very important because when you think about water, how it takes different forms, there is ice, there is steam. For me, there is huge hope in that, in water. It is an element taking different forms, but always in cycle. I meditate on water a lot.’

Within this framework, Anna Hints harnesses the therapeutic essence of water in the secure and intimate environment of a smoke sauna. This setting becomes a sanctuary where participants are free to engage in conversations spanning a broad spectrum of topics. They delve into discussions that range from everyday, commonplace subjects to those of a more profound and significant nature, allowing for a rich tapestry of dialogue and exchange.

Their discussions span a wide array of subjects, including photos of penises received on Tinder, cancer, abortion, women’s choices, body image, and domestic abuse, even brutal rape. Most subjects remain anonymous, and cinematographer Ants Tammik captures their images with a focus on respect and dignity. The film, shot in rich blacks and golds, presents abstract, non-sexualized images of the body.

Interestingly, the camera often focuses not on the woman speaking but on those listening, highlighting a deep, attentive engagement rarely seen. This approach further fueled my longing for a community of women who listen so attentively, engaging with their entire beings.

Womb-like Sanctuaries: The Quest for Authenticity in Women’s Spaces Amid Societal Scrutiny

The immersive experience of being in an all-women environment, reminiscent of the security and comfort akin to a womb, catalyzed a profound realization within me: there are remarkably few sanctuaries where women can genuinely feel safe to express themselves authentically. This realization highlighted the scarcity of spaces that allow women to exist beyond the restrictive boundaries imposed by a heteronormative, patriarchal society.

Within such a context, we find ourselves perpetually at risk of scrutiny, not only from men but, paradoxically, from other women as well, including those who identify as feminists. Such individuals, despite advocating for women’s rights, often inadvertently project their own perspectives and biases onto others. This realization becomes particularly poignant when I reflect upon my experiences visiting saunas. In these moments, I am acutely aware of my body, enveloped in a sense of self-consciousness, stemming from the understanding that it is subject to silent observation and unspoken judgment.

The Female Body: A Central Theme

Central to the film is its focus on the female body and flesh, capturing images of limbs, breasts, and sweat on the skin. One scene poignantly reflects on the role of women and the earth in the cycle of life, both perceived as nurturing resources. In Smoke Sauna Sisterhood, the framing of the female form represents a reclamation of women’s bodies. This is achieved through a process of formal de-territorialization, effectively liberating these figures from entrenched patriarchal norms and conventional standards of beauty. In this cinematic context, women are portrayed not merely as subjects but as mythical entities, emancipated from the dominant phallocentric systems of thought.

The film’s soundtrack, an entrancing blend of Estonian folk songs and chants, further enhances this narrative. It not only accentuates the sacredness of the ritual depicted but also evokes an aura of magic and mysticism. This auditory backdrop serves as a powerful tool, deepening the viewer’s immersion in the film’s unique, ethereal world.

Moreover, the film deftly and implicitly addresses the complex societal perceptions of ageing, particularly concerning women. It primarily features characters who are middle-aged or older, thereby subtly commenting on the pervasive societal tendency to overlook or marginalize women as their physical appearance evolves with age. The film’s nuanced portrayal occasionally includes the blurred figure of an older woman emerging through the mist, symbolizing the rich ancestral lineage. This artistic choice offers fleeting yet profound glimpses into the lives of women in bygone eras, thereby weaving a tapestry of intergenerational experiences and perspectives.

Conclusion: A Celebration of Womanhood and Cultural Heritage

The Smoke Sauna Sisterhood transcends the traditional documentary format, offering a mesmerising journey into the heart of Estonian culture and the essence of womanhood. Director Anna Hints, through her intimate and ethereal storytelling, has not only preserved a vital piece of cultural heritage but has also created a powerful commentary on the universal themes of female solidarity, resilience, and the unspoken bonds that connect women across generations and geographies.

In conclusion, The Smoke Sauna Sisterhood is a profound, beautifully crafted film that resonates deeply with its audience. It’s a celebration of womanhood, a tribute to cultural heritage, and a call to cherish the bonds that unite us. This film is not just a visual feast but a soul-stirring experience that redefines the power of documentary filmmaking.