Sanatorium (film)

Last updated
Sanatorium
Sanatorium (film) poster.jpg
Theatrical release poster
Directed byGar O'Rourke
Produced byAndrew Freedman
Ken Wardrop
Samantha Corr
CinematographyDenys Melnyk
Edited byJohn Murphy
Music byDenis Kilty
Production
companies
Venom Films
BBC Storyville
2332 Films Ukraine
Petite Maison Production France
Distributed byEclipse Pictures (Ireland)
MetFilm Sales (World-wide)
Release dates
  • March 24, 2025 (2025-03-24)(CPH:DOX)
  • September 5, 2025 (2025-09-05)(Ireland)
Running time
90 minutes
CountriesIreland
Ukraine
France
LanguageUkrainian

Sanatorium is a 2025 documentary comedy film [1] directed by Gar O'Rourke in his directorial debut. [2] It follows the lives and loves of the residents of Kuyalnik Sanatorium, a former Soviet medical center that now provides medical treatment and comfort to its guests while the Russo-Ukrainian War rages. [3]

Contents

It was selected as the Irish entry for the Best International Feature Film at the 98th Academy Awards. [4]

Synopsis

In Odesa, southern Ukraine, there is what used to be a Soviet health center now transformed into the Kuyalnik Sanatorium, which houses residents and patients where they receive medical treatment and activities while the Russo-Ukrainian War rages. [5]

Release

Sanatorium had its world premiere on March 24, 2025, at the 22nd Copenhagen International Documentary Film Festival, [6] then screened on April 3, 2025, at the 56th Visions du Réel, [7] on June 6, 2025, at the 22nd DocuDays UA. [1]

The film was commercially released on September 5, 2025, in Irish theaters by Eclipse Pictures. [8]

Accolades

YearAward / FestivalCategoryRecipientResultRef.
2025 22nd Copenhagen International Documentary Film Festival DOX:AWARDSanatoriumNominated [9] [10]
56th Visions du Réel Grand Angle AwardNominated [11] [12]
65th Kraków Film Festival Golden HornNominated [13] [14]
Student Jury AwardWon

See also

References

  1. 1 2 "Sanatorium". DocuDays UA . Retrieved 2025-08-19.
  2. Sanatorium (Feature Documentary) . Retrieved 2025-08-19 via Gar O'Rourke.
  3. Szalai, Georg (2025-03-22). "'Sanatorium' Visits a Brutalist Ex-Soviet Wellness Resort in Ukraine Offering an "Oasis of Respite"". The Hollywood Reporter . Retrieved 2025-08-19.
  4. "IFTA Announces Ireland's Entry For Oscars® 2026 (International Feature Film) as Ukrainian-language film Sanatorium". Irish Film & Television Academy . Retrieved 2025-08-19.
  5. Ide, Wendy. "'Sanatorium' review: Striking portrait of Odesa's Soviet-era health facility". Screen International . Retrieved 2025-08-19.
  6. "Sanatorium". CPH:DOX . Retrieved 2025-08-19.
  7. "Sanatorium – Films". Visions du Réel . Retrieved 2025-08-19.
  8. Ntim, Zac (2025-08-19). "Oscars: Ireland Selects 'Sanatorium' For Best International Feature Film Race". Deadline. Retrieved 2025-08-19.
  9. Pedersen, Lise (26 February 2025). "Copenhagen Docs Fest CPH:DOX Unveils Bold Lineup With a Sharp Focus on Human Rights". Variety . Retrieved 29 March 2025.
  10. Lattanzio, Ryan (28 March 2025). "CPH:DOX Winners Led by 'Always,' '2000 Meters to Andriivka,' and More". IndieWire . Retrieved 29 March 2025.
  11. "Grand Angle". Visions du Réel (in French). Retrieved 2025-08-19.
  12. "Awards 2025". Visions du Réel. Retrieved 2025-08-19.
  13. "Krakow Film Festival unveils 2025 international documentary competition lineup". MODERN TIMES REVIEW. 2025-04-18. Retrieved 2025-08-19.
  14. "Winners of the 65th Krakow Film Festival". Kraków Film Festival . Retrieved 2025-08-19.