‘Family Time” directed and written by Tia Kouvo, the movie offers a keen examination of the complex relationships within families, tracing the interactions of three troubled families as they reunite at their grandparents’ home during the festive season. The cast includes Ria Kataja, Elina Knihtilä, Leena Uotila, Tom Wentzel, and Jarkko Pajunen, who bring to life the dark humor that injects a touch of discomfort into the Christmas spirit.
Jussi Rantamäki and Emilia Haukka collaborated on the project for Aamu Film Company and Vilda Bomben Film, creating a feature film based on Kouvo’s 2018 short film with the same title.
The movie, titled “Family Time,” debuted at the Berlinale’s Encounters section in the previous year and made its Finnish debut in November of the same year. It then achieved widespread success in Finland, winning the Academy Awards for Best Film, Best Director, and Best Screenplay at the Jussis awards. The Match Factory is in charge of securing international distribution rights.
Finland has only received one nomination for an Oscar in the best international feature film category, which was for Aki Kaurismäki’s The Man Without a Past in 2002, and it hasn’t won yet. Kaurismäki’s most recent film, 2023’s Fallen Leaves, and Juho Kuosmanen’s Compartment No. 6 from 2021 were both nominated for the Oscars but did not receive a nomination.
The submission period for the 96th Oscars closes on Nov. 14, 2024. The list of top international feature nominees will be revealed on Dec. 17. The nominations for the 2025 Academy Awards will be made public on Jan. 17, 2025. The 2025 Academy Awards ceremony is scheduled for Sunday, March 2.
The Finnish panel notes: “Family Time, a truly unique and skillfully crafted movie, demonstrates the fusion of visual excellence and emotional depth. Detailed insights into the everyday life of Finland grow into a relatable journey, as the movie’s global acclaim has confirmed.”
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