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Sanatorium (2025)

Gar O’Rourke
Gar O’Rourke
Sanatorium still. Copyright credit: Venom Films
Sanatorium still. Copyright credit: Venom Films
Project Type
Feature Documentary
Title
Sanatorium (2025)
Release Date
2025
Irish Partner
Venom Films
Co-Partners

2332 (Ukraine)

Funding Strand
Slate Development
Year Funded
2022

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Shot on location in Ukraine, Sanatorium takes viewers inside Kuyalnik Sanatorium on the outskirts of Odesa, a vast Soviet-era health retreat where visitors undergo traditional treatments, find community, and navigate a summer like no other - despite the war unfolding around them.

Directed by Gar O’Rourke, Sanatorium is a feature documentary from Irish company Venom Films in co-production with Ukrainian company, 2332.

Despite a war close by, mud treatments and electro-therapies continue at Kuyalnik Sanatorium near Odesa in southern Ukraine, where a small group searches for love, healing and happiness.

Oscar® International Feature Film Selection

IFTA announced that the Irish-made, Ukrainian-language film Sanatorium has been selected to represent Ireland in the Oscar® International Feature Film category at the upcoming 98th annual Academy Awards.

Screening at CPH:DOX 2025

Sanatorium was selected to make its World Premiere at CPH:DOX 2025, one of the biggest documentary festivals in the world. Sanatorium has been nominated for a DOX:AWARD by CPH:DOX and will screen at CPH:DOX 2025 from 19th - 30th March, 2025. The documentary will have an online Danish-wide release from 28th March to 13th April via the festival’s streaming service.

Credits

  • Produced by: Andrew Freedman, Ken Wardrop, Samantha Corr
  • Executive Producer For Screen Ireland: Greg Martin
  • Cinematographer: Denys Melnyk
  • Editor: John Murphy
  • Production Companies: Venom Films, BBC Storyville
  • Co-Production Company: 2332 Films Ukraine
  • Funded By: Screen Ireland, BBC Storyville, Metfilms, France TV, Creative Europe

Sanatorium (2025); directed by Gar O’Rourke (Ireland, Ukraine)

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