Ukrainian-language film Sanatorium to represent Ireland in Oscars international category

Producers said film 'salutes the resilient community of Kuyalnik Sanatorium outside Odessa — where even in the shadow of war, people come to heal, to laugh and to show extraordinary humanity'.

Ukrainian-language film Sanatorium has been selected by the Irish Film and Television Academy (Ifta) to represent Ireland in the International Feature Film category at next year's 98th Academy Awards in Los Angeles.

The documentary film, directed by Galway-born filmmaker Gar O'Rourke, is set in Kuyalnik Sanatorium, a crumbling wellness centre near Odessa in Ukraine, where "staff and visitors are determined to have a holiday away from the outside world, a moment in their lives to 'restore' themselves" despite the war raging in the country.

At the facility, guests can avail of the therapeutic treatments from the Soviet-era, including a mysterious mud which is said to cure infertility, chronic ailments, and a myriad of other health issues.

The fly-on-the wall work has already garnered much acclaim on the festival circuit: it won Best Irish Feature Documentary at the Galway Film Fleadh, and screened at festivals in Copenhagen, Switzerland, Edinburgh, and Melbourne.

The film was produced by Venom Films with Ifta-winners Ken Wardrop and Andrew Freedman, along with Samantha Corr. It was co-produced by 2332 Films Ukraine and made with support from Screen Ireland, BBC Storyville, MetFilm Sales, France TV, and Creative Europe. It will released here on September 5.

Gar O'Rourke said it was a privilege to be representing Ireland "on the biggest stage in world cinema".

"This was a film that set out to show the power of healing, the resilience of community, and above all the strength of the Ukrainian spirit in the face of such traumatic time," he said.

'Sanatorium' has already garnered much acclaim on the festival circuit: it won Best Irish Feature Documentary at the Galway Film Fleadh, and screened at festivals in Copenhagen, Switzerland, Edinburgh, and Melbourne.

Producers Andrew Freedman, Ken Wardrop and Samantha Corr said being selected by Ifta was "an honour" and "a huge recognition of the dedication of Gar O’Rourke, John Murphy and everyone who helped bring this story to the screen".

"Most of all, it salutes the resilient community of Kuyalnik Sanatorium outside Odessa — where even in the shadow of war, people come to heal, to laugh and to show extraordinary humanity," they added.

Sanatorium follows in the footsteps of An Cailín Ciúin, nominated for an Oscar in 2023, and Kneecap, shortlisted for an award last year.

The shortlist for the International Feature Oscar will be announced on December 16. The final five nominees will be announced on January 22. The 98th Academy Awards take place on March 15.