Hammerman Ikon

Hammerman Ikon Film Guide

Sauna (Filth / Evil Rising)
2008
**½
Director: Antti-Jussi Annila
Cast: Ville Virtanen, Tommi Eronen, Viktor Klimenko, Rain Tolk, Kari Ketonen, Vilhelmiina Virkkunen, Taisto Reimaluoto, Ismo Kallio, Dick Idman, Kati Outinen

At the end of the Russo-Swedish War, the countries assign a commission to draw the new border. This group includes two Finnish brothers who are haunted by their war crimes. As they arrive in an eery village in the middle of the marshland, they are about to face (their) demons. A.J. Annila's second feature is a wonderfully atmospheric horror film. The beautiful and creepy imagery and David Lynchian soundscape create a powerful sense of dread. It's a shame Iiro Küttner's screenplay is a complete mess. At the outset, this seems like a classic tale of redemption - the titular sauna is a place for washing the sins away - but come the final third, the film doesn't even try to make sense. It's also unclear why this story needs to be set in 1595.