In Context

Due to the extreme conditions, shooting in the saunas proved to be technically challenging.

 

 

Though filmmakers Joonas Berghäll and Mika Hotakainen knew what the film subjects might talk about in the saunas, the scenes they filmed were completely unscripted. In order to create a comfortable atmosphere, the filmmakers and cameramen were all nude during shooting.

Due to the extreme conditions, shooting in the saunas proved to be technically challenging. The camera was set up in the saunas 90 minutes before filming to allow the equipment to acclimate to the small, humid rooms that reached temperatures over 200 degrees Fahrenheit. Though this prevented condensation from forming on the lenses, operating the hot camera still proved difficult.


Photo Caption: Filmmakers Mika Hotakainen and Joonas Berghäll
Credit: Malla Hukkanen

Sources:
» Documentary.org. "Meet the DocuWeeks Filmmakers: Joonas Berghall and Mika Hotakainen."
» Hotsprung. "Steam of Life."