It is unfortunate that the film Smoke Sauna Sisterhood was recently shown at the Waldo Theater. Why would an Estonian sauna film be featured there? Who chose to promote a film that showcases a sauna culture that is so contrary to where the sauna originated, Finland?!

Midcoast Maine is rich in Finnish culture. Finns came here finding employment in the granite industry, farming, and woodworking trades. With them they brought strong work ethics, quiet generosities, simple humility, modest living, and sauna traditions. Generations of Finns have grown up in this area. They continue to reside and practice many of their unpretentious ways of life.

The Finnish sauna is sacred. It’s a personal, quiet, reverent experience. In public, the Finns sauna with same assigned sex. Young families may sauna together. Hygiene is of utmost importance in the Finnish sauna. Showers happen before and after. Naked bodies sit upon towels, maintaining sanitation. Personal space is respected. Sauna time is tranquil, calm, and subdued.

The ‘sauna’ film shown at Waldo Theater, Smoke Sauna Sisterhood, flaunts the Estonian version of the sauna culture, an absolute insult to Finnish sauna customs!

Viewers who are not familiar with the Finnish sauna will bear witness to a false pretense of what sauna truly is. The film suggests that a sauna is a place of deep conversation, intense sweating without regard to hygiene, personal touch, and even chanting. As I watched this film unfold, I was deeply disappointed and embarrassed of what I considered a mockery of the sauna and ultimately, my Finnish heritage. 

Furthermore, there should have been a better introduction by the theater and the promoter as a courtesy to the audience to ‘soften the blow.’ There was a lot of sensitive subject matter that was likely unsettling for many. Viewers could have made an informed decision about seeing the film had it been publicized differently. Parents may have reconsidered bringing their children.

Before the film began, a speaker announced that the promoter had visited Finland to study the sauna. This may have deceived the audience as to the Finnish sauna culture being parallel to that of Estonia presented in the film. Finland should have never been mentioned in connection to the documentary. The Waldo Theater was irresponsible in its advertising.

Want to know an authentic sauna experience? Find a Finn.

Lynn Anderson-Snow lives in Thomaston and Kristi Atherton lives in New Hampshire