This article is missing information about the film's production, and theatrical release. Please expand the article to include this information. Further details may exist on the talk page.(March 2018)
Sauna, also known as Filth[2] or Evil Rising,[3] is a 2008 Finnish horror film directed by Antti-Jussi Annila. The film was awarded three Jussi Awards in 2009: the best sound design, the best scenography and the best costumes.[4][5][6] In addition, the film was nominated for best lead actor (Ville Virtanen), best lead actor (Tommi Eronen) and best editing.
At the end of the Russo-Swedish War (1590-1595), brothers Knut and Eerik are tasked with marking the border between Finland under Swedish rule and the Tsardom of Russia. Eerik is a cartographer hardened by a long war and studied in Stockholm. On the way, the brothers kill the peasant and leave his daughter in the basement to die, but in the marshes of the north, the ghost of the girl returns to persecute them. Upon arriving at a mysterious village in the middle of swamp, the brothers find a sauna in which they hope to be washed of their sins.[1]
This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (May 2018)
French film review website CinemaFantastique.net awarded it 3/4, praising the film's atmosphere, cinematography, and for effectively capturing the 16th century period. However, they criticized the film's non-linear story, and dialogue which made it difficult to fully understand the film.[10] James Gillett from Digital Retribution gave the film a score of 4/5, writing, "Sauna is an impressive film; thematically rich and stunningly realised. It's the kind of horror movie seldom seen. Those who occasionally enjoy something a little more cerebral than your average horror effort will find themselves with a deeply rewarding and engaging film. Wash your sins. Step inside..."[11] David Nusair from Reel Film Reviews, however, panned the film, awarding it no stars out of four, calling it "An abominable, utterly worthless piece of work".[12]
References
^ ab"Sauna". ses.fi. The Finnish Film Foundation. Retrieved September 11, 2011.
^"Sauna (2008)". elonet.fi. National Audiovisual Archive / Finnish Board of Film Classification. Retrieved September 11, 2011.