The Washer

Pirkko has been washing people for living in Finnish saunas for twenty years. During the years she has learned to love people as they are. No matter how much body hair or cellulite they have.

Pirkko is also one of the few washers left in Helsinki. Once a common occupation is now dying due to the privatisation of the sauna culture. Public saunas are closing down as almost everyone has their own sauna.

For her customers Pirkko therefore provides a unique experience. “In a wash you can feel like a kid again”, explains Pirkko. Young, old, men, women – they all come to Pirkko.

Kati Kelola

Kati Kelola has graduated in MA in Visual Anthropology at Goldsmiths College, University of London in 2005. The Washer is her first film. She has directed, filmed and edited it by herself.