‘Sauna’ Review: A Cis Gay Man Sees Queer Life Through Another Lens in a Sensitive Danish Drama

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The sauna and sex club in Copenhagen where Johan (Magnus Juhl Andersen) works, named Adonis, is where he showcases the brand. With his tall, muscular build, tanned skin, and center-parted, wavy blond hair, he embodies the ideal Scandinavian male beauty – a gay man who has never faced doubts about his desirability from others. However, this privilege is put to the test when he develops feelings for William (Nina Rask), a trans man navigating through a masculine environment that isn’t always welcoming of his body or desires. In this moving, intimate debut by Danish writer-director Mathias Broe, “Sauna” delicately explores the blossoming, albeit unconventional relationship between these two characters, and does not forcefully present them as destined soulmates.

Director Broe, known for creating multiple short films centered around queer themes, including “Amfi” which won a Danish Academy Award in 2020, collaborated with co-writer William Lippert to adapt the novel “Sauna” penned by Mads Ananda Lodahl. This project holds a personal significance for Broe, as his partner was undergoing transition during the film’s production, and he has openly discussed his growing insights into queer identity. With its debut at Sundance’s world cinema competition, “Sauna” is expected to strike a chord among LGBTQ+ audiences who have grappled with outdated prejudices, either within others or themselves. The film sometimes makes its broader social messages overtly explicit, yet it also showcases a sense of sensual grace and subtlety.

The primary connection between Johan and William, established since their first encounter through an app, is initially a magnetic force: One that Johan almost disrupts when he inappropriately responds upon learning about William’s trans identity, which was mentioned in his profile (though Johan, being young, ignorant, and brash, isn’t much of a reader). The romance between them seems destined for failure from the start, yet this is less of a flaw than a characteristic: There are moments when we question what these two men with contrasting views and hobbies find attractive in each other. This doubt is alleviated during the film’s explicit yet gracefully staged sex scenes, beautifully captured by DP Nicolai Lok, who carefully considers the way light plays on every curve of their bodies. These scenes remind us of an attraction between them that even seems to astonish the characters themselves.

In a quieter manner than one might expect given my striking appearance, I, Johan, am somewhat naive and reserved, often underestimated due to the urban gay scene’s predominantly cis-white and macho nature. Originally from a small town, I found solace in the vibrant city of Copenhagen, where I could live freely. By day, I work as a custodian at Adonis, leveraging my image to secure the job, while the sauna’s middle-aged owner, Michael (Klaus Tange), has kindly taken me in as a lodger. At night, my workplace provides camaraderie and a thrill. However, cleaning semen stains under the harsh daylight is not the connection I had envisioned for myself. Instead, I yearn for genuine human interaction that transcends the confines of bars and darkrooms.

A thoughtful, insightful literature enthusiast named William introduces him to a broader, more accepting world centered around the LGBTQ+ community, which initially leaves Johan feeling like an outsider. Despite this, he tries to connect with the transgender community and understand the challenges William encounters during his transition. However, his interactions are often awkward and insensitive, causing discomfort among some members of the community. For instance, one of William’s friends responds dismissively to Johan’s curious inquiries about hormone therapy by saying, “I just want to party.” The story “Sauna” teaches both queer individuals and allies an important lesson: that being an ally doesn’t mean imposing your own understanding or expectations on others. Instead, it means educating yourself and respecting the unique journeys of those within the LGBTQ+ community.

In the deteriorating bond between Johan and William, the script by Broe and Lippert becomes somewhat scattered, leading Johan into a loop of self-destructive actions. Interestingly, a plot twist that equates sex work with a profound emotional low appears to have been borrowed from a more traditional, less progressive queer narrative. Despite this, the raw, injured portrayals by the two leads keep the story authentic: Trans comedian Rask delivers a poignant performance as a man who is almost as tired of others’ protective gestures as he is of outright mistreatment. In a moment of frustration, William expresses to Johan, “I want to be with you, but I’m only just learning how to be with myself,” a sentiment that the film “Sauna” wisely leaves unresolved, reflecting the complexities of their relationship.

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2025-02-01 18:17