Miesten vuoro

A documentary that covers just about the whole emotional spectrum. The idea is simple: the filmmakers follow Finnish men in the sauna and let them talk about their lives, and they talk, punctuated with silence. They share their life's stories, they talk about their children, they talk about lost loves, dreams and hopes. We see a lot of different men in different saunas and in different places in their lives.

I had heard praise about this film before seeing it, but after the film I was still surprised. The film is immensely touching, and I noticed most of the audience (consisting, of, to my surprise, mostly of men) was in tears when the lights came back on. This film says something very important about Finnish men, and Finnish culture in general. That even though not much may be said, the understanding, the compassion, and the friendship are still there.

In the best Finnish documentary tradition the film also has a lighter and funnier side. Some scenes will make you laugh in awe, some will leave you in tears.

Normally taciturn Finnish men, bare their bodies, and metaphorically their souls, in several different sauna settings.Thus we discover that they are are really all too human. Something that their body shape has already made all too clear. The stories are interesting,if often gloomy. The saunas are entertainingly diverse in nature, and ingenuity. A bear provides one scene to lift the mood. The film could do with more such moments. The scenery is evocative. Cold,white and distant at times, yet it makes you want to explore it, as long as you are well protected from its bite. A hot sauna is just what is needed to warm yourself after such a trip. I guess this is why emotional landscapes can be laid bare in the steam as well.

Finns themselves tend to believe (both men and women) in a stereotype, that men really do not discuss about their feelings, at least not with other men. This movie proves the opposite, and can encourage those with difficulties to open themselves to their friends and maybe, just maybe lower the suicide numbers in Finland.

http://tinyurl.com/36d8jum

and even more important, to help the next generations to talk more. this is a movie, that no sound person leaves without tears in their eyes.

the stories seem first 'boring', and a bit slow. but if you let yourself slow down and understand, that these are true stories by true men, and focus on how these guys are sharing their stories almost without noticing the camera at all, you will learn a lot about 'man' and men in particular...

Saunas have long been seen as a central tenant of Finnish culture and are often a significant marker of a cultural identity for Finland. In Steam of Life, a film directed by Joonas Berghall and Mika Hotakainen, is a Finnish documentary film that builds and explores the relationship between men and the ubiquitous Finnish Sauna. Steam of Life is a film could not have come from any other country as Berghall and Hotakainen use a unique documentary storytelling technique; most of the movie takes place almost entirely in or around saunas. It is almost as if this movie was a compilation of short films; a series of standalone stories with the connecting fiber that runs through them being that each small movie revolves around a life story told by men from within saunas. There is no continuity between each of these small segments, but individual story each packs an emotional punch as the men recount their personal stories. Despite this unlikely premise and the unconventional storytelling technique, this movie succeeds with flying colors.

Saunas are often a place of quiet, there is little to do except sit in the heat and perform ritualistic actions such as pouring water over hot coals. All the vigorous action such as the cleaning by dousing happens at the end of the sauna session. There is little else for one to do but sit, think, and reflect. The sauna is an intimate setting; one is often by his or herself or with one other person and it is always done naked. Yet this intimate setting is often done with members of the same sex, removing any sort of sexual coloring or influence. What is left is the perfect environment that fosters reflection and makes for a situation that allows one to share their troubles and past woes without judgment and to build relationships.

Like the naked bodies the audience is subjected to within the sauna, the stories that come along with are often just as ugly and not pleasing to bear witness too. They are both exposed in body and emotion. Something else that comes along with this that won't take a viewer long to notice is how the movie features almost exclusively men. Just before the credits, the film states that Steam of Life is dedicated to Finnish men, a sort of tribute. About midway through the movie, an army officer spills that he finds it hard to find time to feel weak or sorry, it is seen as a weakness in his environment. This can be extrapolated to a larger theme of the film. There are certain expectations that come along with gender, generally men are expected to be strong and brave and it is a sign of weakness to show emotion or sadness. This movie attempts to break down this barrier; the sauna is used as a small window of time that allows men to dwell on their troubles and share their woes without feeling as judged by society, or without their manhood questioned. Besides, when else would one share such stories except for a sauna?

The directors like to include wide-angle still shots, with the characters slowly moving across or away from the camera. While this may seem like rudimentary cinematic techniques, there is no camera movement or common techniques like using a hand-held camera—this would do a disservice to the beautiful cinematography and the themes of the movie. The focus is not excitement or the artistic techniques, but instead the men's stories. As I mentioned previously, the cinematography in Steam of Life beautiful-- Yes, most of the movie is inside of saunas (I had no idea there was so much variability in the settings of saunas: tents, small phone booths in fields, gyms, trailers, small cabins…-etc) but when the movie moves outside of the cramped rooms the viewer is treated to a visual feast which is the Finnish countryside. This also showcases another key cultural marker of Finland—the importance of nature and lakes in defining Finish identity.

US viewers might be at first disgusted and turned away when looking at this film at a glance, we are not used to seeing full nudity in movies—and even less used to seeing non-beautiful men nude. If you start to feel this way, I beg for you to press on. If you do press forward with Steam of Life, you will be treated to a beautiful film—while not in actors--cinematically, and an emotionally powerful film on a little explored topic—men's emotions. There may not be exactly an agenda or a specific plot to Steam of Life, but this documentary gives the viewer the opportunity to have their own take away and form their own opinions about the film as a whole.

I'm a simple guy as far as movies go. Seagal movies are my favorites, followed closely by Ferrell-movies and such. I'm not generally into movies that are supposedly deep or emotional. Directing, acting, characters and pretty much everything can be sacrificed for the sake of entertainment.

Watching 'Steam of Life', however, brought tears to my eyes. I was not entertained, I was moved.

It's not entirely because of the stories the men shared. I know a lot of sad stories, and sad things happen all around the world, all the time. It's the way you can relate to the men. We are all different, but we have one thing in common: Sauna, and what sauna represents.

"Boys don't cry" In sauna, however, we can. And we have. There is a place in the world where we can stop trying to live up to other people's expectations. Where we can drop the mask, wash away the makeup (figuratively speaking) get the s*** off our chests.

I could speak objectively, about directing and camera angles and whatnot, but I honestly don't think it's necessary. What this movie represents is more important.

I would however like to mention the story about a grandad who chopped wood for grandma. That was one of the most beautiful things I have heard in a very long time.

I, a Seagal fan, will give this movie as many stars as I will ever give any movie, 9. Highly recommended. Finally it's men's turn.