Steamy Sauna Queer Love Heats Up in this Foreign Drama

By Shane Gallagher

Photo By Christian Geisnaes

Sauna, the highly anticipated debut feature from director Mathias Broe, makes history this month as the first Danish film to cast a transgender actor in a leading trans role. Adapted from the acclaimed book by writer and activist Mads Ananda Lodahl, the film offers an intimate reimagining of Romeo and Juliet,

exploring themes of love, belonging, and identity within Copenhagen’s queer community. At its heart is the story of Johan, a gay man yearning for connection, and William, a trans man embracing his gender

transition. What begins as a Grindr hookup blossoms into a relationship that both heals and challenges them, unfolding within the charged, transformative space of a gay sauna. Starring Nina Rask as William and Magnus Juhl Andersen as Johan, the film brings a fresh and deeply human perspective to queer

storytelling.

Shane Gallagher: Nina, what did it mean to you personally to step into the role of William?

Nina: I’m extremely proud! I’ve mostly played characters that had a specific function in a film. It was a

humbling experience to create a more complex character that was far away from my own personality.

SG: What specific qualities did you like about William?

Nina: In William, I found a person with a lot of power. But in his meeting with Johan, he holds back.

Whether it’s about control or selfprotection, I’m not sure. I was very drawn to his ability to observe the

world.

SG: Magnus, what drew you to the character of Johan?

Magnus: What I thought was really interesting about Johan was the vast hole of loneliness inside of him. The ‘anti-hero’ aspect of him. The wanting to do good, but in the pursuit of doing so, doing wrong. I thought it was very interesting to look at Johan as someone who is just desperate to be loved and accepted. It’s something I think wen all can relate to.

SG: The director, Mathias Broe, has said that when you two met in the casting room, the chemistry was undeniable.

Magnus: We actually met in another production; a Danish series called ‘Carmen Curlers’. We hadn’t played in any romantic scenes before, but we knew each other from being on set.

Nina: At the casting Sauna, they tested our sexual and romantic chemistry, which I think surprised us

both!

SG: Magnus, how did you internalize Johan’s relationship to the Sauna?

Magnus: Personally, I saw the sauna as a symbol of endless possibilities for Johan. Behind every

corner, there might be someone who can finally love him. I found it interesting how he uses himself as

sexual currency, thinking that by offering his body, he may get the love and attention that he craves.

SG: What was the most challenging scene for you to film emotionally?

Nina: I remember the break up scene being pretty difficult emotionally.

Magnus: For me, it was the scene in the sex swing! I was naked, except for a very small modesty garment, and I was surrounded by a bunch of naked male extras. I felt vulnerable. It made the scene crazy intense. I was emotionally drained when we finished.

SG: On the flip side, what was the most joyful or affirming moment you had during production?

Magnus: The whole film was a pleasure to shoot, from start to finish. By the end of the production, I

think we all could feel that we had made something special. The response from the queer community

has made it worth every drop of sweat.

SG: Both of your characters are written as beautifully flawed. How important was it for you to show imperfection in queer love stories rather than polished ideals?

Nina: I think it is important that we move from queer characters always being the saints or “the good guys”. Queers can be selfish and lovable at the same time!

Magnus: All relationships, queer or straight, are incomplete and flawed. It’s never the Disney fairytale we dream of, and honestly, I think that kind of story is boring. Showing love as it really is - messy, imperfect, and full of struggle - makes it powerful. That’s what makes us cheer, cry, and really care when we watch a good love story.

SG: What conversations do you hope Sauna sparks among LGBTQ+ audiences, and also with mainstream audiences who may not be familiar with these experiences?

Magnus: For queer audiences, I hope it sparks recognition. That feeling of, ‘’yes, this is me, this is us, this is complicated but it’s real.’ For mainstream audiences, I hope it opens the door to empathy. Even if the details of queer life are unfamiliar, the emotions of love, shame, desire, and forgiveness are universal.

Nina: I hope the film helps to broaden the horizon of queer cinema. There’s a younger group

of filmmakers entering the industry at the moment and they bring new and exciting perspectives to the

table. Hopefully, they will create the next chapter of stories that are even more diverse and aren’t

afraid to break the norms.

Sauna is available now on all

major digital platforms.