The Baths

Tucked away in the corner of an industrial estate in the East End of London is a steam baths where men meet to wash, eat and chat. Visited daily by culturally diverse groups, it’s where bathing rituals intertwine and collective memories are forged.

Made by two female filmmakers, ‘The Baths’ explores masculinity in this unique setting and invites us to observe often unseen cultural traditions and social interactions. As the film unfolds, the transcultural nature of the baths is revealed – while each group of bathers may at first sight appear separate from one another, it becomes clear that in sharing the same space they are also sharing wider cultural histories.