Sanatorium, a documentary directed by Gar O’Rourke about an ex-Soviet wellness resort in Ukraine, is Ireland’s submission for the best international feature film category at the 98th Oscars. The Irish Film and Television Academy unveiled its choice of Ireland’s official entry for the international feature category at the Academy Awards on Tuesday.
In 2022, The Quiet Girl became the first film submitted by Ireland to be nominated in the category. The country has never won the international Oscar.
Last year’s submission was Rich Peppiatt’s Kneecap.
“Both patients and staff search for health, happiness, and love while the [Russia-started] war echoes through the lime green corridors” of Kuyalnyk Sanatorium, reads a film synopsis. “Every summer, people of all ages arrive in their thousands at a huge ex-Soviet treatment center in Odesa on the southern coast of Ukraine. A time capsule from the ’70s, built in the brutalist style of the era, it still offers therapeutic treatments from the glory days of the Soviet Union. The main attraction is the mysterious mud which is believed to cure infertility, chronic ailments, and a myriad of other health problems.”
But beyond the physical health goals, many guests are really searching for happiness and love above all else, Sanatorium shows as O’Rourke and the camera of cinematographer Denys Melnyk follow them to tell their stories. As such, the doc is also a declaration of love for the Ukrainian people, their spirit, and their resilience.
Sanatorium was produced by Venom Films by IFTA-winning Ken Wardrop and Andrew Freedman (His & Hers, Making the Grade), along with Samantha Corr. Sanatorium was co-produced by 2332 Films Ukraine and made with support from Screen Ireland, BBC Storyville, MetFilm Sales, France TV, and Creative Europe. The film was edited by John Murphy (editor of An Cailín Ciúin), with Denys Melnyk (Militantropos) as director of photography. Irish Distributor Eclipse Pictures will release the film in Irish cinemas on Sept. 5.
Sanatorium had its World Premiere at CPH:DOX in Copenhagen in the main international competition in March before playing the festival circuit.