Deep Dive: Sanatorium (2025)
Film Lens
Sanatorium is an observational documentary directed by Gar O'Rourke, focusing on the Kuyalnik Sanatorium in southern Ukraine. The film captures the daily lives of residents and staff in this former Soviet medical center, which now offers treatment amid the ongoing Russian war against Ukraine. Shot over a summer season, it presents a candid view of the interactions and routines of those seeking comfort and care in a deteriorating environment.
The documentary includes the impact of the Russo-Ukrainian War on the residents, with scenes depicting their fears of airstrikes prompting them to move to the basement. O'Rourke's personal connection to Ukraine, having visited in 2018 and stayed at a sanatorium in 2021, informs the film's intimate portrayal of life in a place marked by both healing and conflict.
Why Watch
- •See life at Kuyalnik Sanatorium during wartime.
- •Meet residents coping with the impact of war.
- •Find out how staff maintain routines amid conflict.
Did You Know
•Sanatorium premiered on March 24, 2025, at the Copenhagen International Documentary Film Festival.
•The film was shot during a summer season in 2025.
•Kuyalnik Sanatorium is located just outside Odesa, Ukraine.
•Sanatorium was the Irish entry for the Best International Feature Film at the 98th Academy Awards.
Perfect For
Ukrainian cultureDocumentary enthusiastsWar impact studies