Edited by Mikkel Hyldebrandt
Photos: Christian Geisnæs, Nicolai Lok
In the steamy haze of Sauna, debut director Mathias Broe delivers one of the year’s most quietly revolutionary queer films—a tender, deeply human love story between two men navigating identity, intimacy, and belonging within Copenhagen’s vibrant LGBTQ+ community. Releasing worldwide on November 18, Sauna makes history as the first Danish feature to cast a transgender actor in a leading trans role.
Based on the acclaimed novel by writer and activist Mads Ananda Lodahl, Sauna reimagines Romeo and Juliet through a contemporary queer lens. At its center are Johan, a gay man yearning for connection, and William, a trans man stepping into his transition. Their story begins with a Grindr hookup that evolves into something far deeper—an emotionally charged relationship that blooms and fractures within the confined, symbolic walls of a gay sauna.
“I had never seen a love story between a trans gay man and a cis gay man before,” says Broe. “I wanted to bring that dynamic to queer cinema because it reflects questions so many of us face around love, identity, and acceptance.”
Broe’s vision draws from both Lodahl’s narrative and his own life. “I’ve been wanting to make a film about my queer community in Copenhagen for years,” he explains. “When I read about William and Johan’s relationship, I knew it was the perfect story to tell. It’s also deeply personal—my own partner started transitioning while we were making Sauna.”
Casting authenticity was key. After an open call, the role of William went to Nina Rask, who imbues the character with warmth and subtle humor. Opposite her, Magnus Juhl Andersen brings emotional intensity to Johan. “When Magnus walked into the room, there was instant chemistry,” recalls Broe. “It was sexy, raw, and real.”
The sauna itself becomes both a sanctuary and battleground. “It’s the heart of the film,” says Broe. “For Johan, it’s home. For William, it’s a place of rejection—marked by conservative ideas about gender and transphobia. The sauna brings them together, but it also tears them apart.”
Despite its distinctly queer framework, Sauna reaches for something universal. “It’s about two people having a beautifully flawed human experience of love,” Broe reflects. “By being honest about imperfection, we can connect queer stories to the broader human experience.”
The film also holds up a mirror to the LGBTQ+ community itself. “We’re not always one big happy family,” Broe notes. “There’s prejudice within our own spaces. I hope Sauna challenges those internal biases and opens conversations about how we treat one another.”
Shot over six weeks with a small, mostly queer crew, Sauna captures the intimacy and grit of grassroots filmmaking. Its soundtrack pulses with music from Denmark’s underground scene, featuring artists like Anton Falck (First Hate), Debbie Sings, Asbjørn, and Raymonde Gaunoux—all lending a distinctly queer sonic identity to the film’s emotional landscape.
For Broe, Sauna is more than a film—it’s a statement. “We owe it to each other to listen and understand,” he says. “Queer lives deserve to be portrayed with the same complexity as any others.”
Sauna will be available to rent or purchase on all major digital platforms beginning November 18. Don’t miss this bold and intimate new voice in queer cinema—a love story that proves vulnerability can be the most radical act of all.
