Sweat is a 2020 Polish drama film directed by Magnus von Horn. The film follows the life of Sylwia Zając, a fitness motivator, who is obsessed with maintaining her social media image and keeping her followers engaged through her workout sessions and motivational speeches. She spends her time traveling across Poland, attending fitness events, and recording YouTube videos.
Despite her popularity and success, Sylwia is struggling with loneliness and a lack of genuine human connection. She is aware that her followers only know her as a persona, and she yearns for someone who will see her beyond her social media image.
Over the course of three days, the film captures Sylwia's daily routine and her interactions with various people in her life, including her loyal assistant, her sister, and a stranger she meets at a swimming pool. As she tries to navigate her personal life and maintain her public persona, Sylwia's mental health begins to deteriorate, leading her to question her priorities and the impact of social media on her life.
Sweat explores the themes of identity, loneliness, and the reality behind social media fame. The film features a powerful performance by Magdalena Koleśnik, who brings depth and nuance to the character of Sylwia. The film received critical acclaim and was selected as the Polish entry for the Best International Feature Film at the 93rd Academy Awards.