DIRECTOR: Tia Kouvo
STARRING: Ria Kataja, Elina Knihtila, Leena Uotila, Tom Wentzel, Jarkko Pajunen
RUNNING TIME: 1 hr 55 minutes
LANGUAGE: Finnish, English
It's Christmas time and the family has gathered. Everything goes on as it did the previous Christmases, with grandpa drinking too much and grandma trying to keep everyone in the mood. After the Christmas holidays, everyone returns to their own homes until it's time to gather again, this time for a funeral.
***
Family Time is written and directed by Tia Kouvo in her feature directorial debut. It's based on Kouvo's 2018 short film of the same name. The film had its world premiere in the Encounters section of the 73rd Berlin International Film Festival in February 2023. Other festival outings include Sao Paulo, Brussels and Transylvania, winning the special jury award at the latter. It was released in theatres across Finland on November 2023. It went on to sweep Finland’s Academy Awards taking best film, best director and best screenplay.
The Finnish jury announced that Family Time would be Finland's submission on September 16th due to it being "an exceptionally original and masterfully told film, which shows how form and emotion can become a combination of cinematic virtuosity. Precise observations about Finnish ordinariness expand into a universal experience, as the film’s international success has proven.”
The film is produced by Jussi Rantamäki and Emilia Haukka under Aamu Film Company, in co-production with Sweden-based Vilda Bomben Film and Film i Vast. The Match Factory is handling world sales for the film.
Family Time is a comedy drama and it was filmed in Lahti, Finland.
To check out all previous submissions for Finland, click HERE.
STARRING: Ria Kataja, Elina Knihtila, Leena Uotila, Tom Wentzel, Jarkko Pajunen
RUNNING TIME: 1 hr 55 minutes
LANGUAGE: Finnish, English
It's Christmas time and the family has gathered. Everything goes on as it did the previous Christmases, with grandpa drinking too much and grandma trying to keep everyone in the mood. After the Christmas holidays, everyone returns to their own homes until it's time to gather again, this time for a funeral.
***
Family Time is written and directed by Tia Kouvo in her feature directorial debut. It's based on Kouvo's 2018 short film of the same name. The film had its world premiere in the Encounters section of the 73rd Berlin International Film Festival in February 2023. Other festival outings include Sao Paulo, Brussels and Transylvania, winning the special jury award at the latter. It was released in theatres across Finland on November 2023. It went on to sweep Finland’s Academy Awards taking best film, best director and best screenplay.
The Finnish jury announced that Family Time would be Finland's submission on September 16th due to it being "an exceptionally original and masterfully told film, which shows how form and emotion can become a combination of cinematic virtuosity. Precise observations about Finnish ordinariness expand into a universal experience, as the film’s international success has proven.”
The film is produced by Jussi Rantamäki and Emilia Haukka under Aamu Film Company, in co-production with Sweden-based Vilda Bomben Film and Film i Vast. The Match Factory is handling world sales for the film.
Family Time is a comedy drama and it was filmed in Lahti, Finland.
To check out all previous submissions for Finland, click HERE.
FILM REVIEW:
(This review contains spoilers.)
“I love having you here. It’s always such a shame when you have to leave. But that’s the way it is. Back to the daily grind.”
Tia Kouvo’s Family Time is a refreshing take on the holiday gathering movie, embracing deadpan humour and quiet observation to highlight the subtleties of familial tension and love. The story centers around a Christmas reunion where three generations of a Finnish family gather, each bringing their own quirks, grievances, and complexities to the table. Kouvo draws us into a homey yet chilly rural setting, where much of the action is contained within the grandparents’ modest house. The result is an intimate, almost voyeuristic experience that captures the holiday season’s unique blend of warmth and discomfort.
What stands out most in Family Time is its daring cinematographic style. Kouvo’s decision to use long static shots is bold, lending the film a grounded and almost documentary-like feel. Each scene is allowed to play out in real time, giving the actors space to express complex emotions with subtle gestures and glances. This slow-burn technique builds an atmosphere that feels entirely authentic, inviting viewers to observe rather than be directed on how to feel. While this approach might challenge some viewers’ expectations, it adds depth and realism to every interaction, making even the smallest gestures, like a glance or an eye roll, speak volumes about the characters' relationships.
Kouvo’s attention to detail shines in her portrayal of each family member, with each character distinctly drawn yet universally relatable. From Ella, the slightly disenchanted grandmother, to Lasse, the grumpy, TV-obsessed grandfather, the characters feel familiar in the best way possible. Kouvo’s cast is fully committed to their roles, delivering performances that are both understated and powerful. Elina Knihtilä and Ria Kataja, as the adult daughters Susanna and Helena, capture the conflicting emotions of duty and frustration that so often accompany family gatherings, while young Elli Paajanen as Hilla brings a sweet innocence that punctuates the film’s darker humour.
The humour in Family Time is subtle yet impactful, relying on the mundane and awkward rather than on overt jokes. Kouvo’s brand of comedy is far from typical slapstick or situational humour, instead leaning into moments of uncomfortable silence, banal conversations, and the minor mishaps that come with family gatherings. From an overly drawn-out debate over margarine versus butter to a misstep involving a family dog, Kouvo finds hilarity in the often-overlooked absurdity of everyday life. This nuanced comical aspect resonates because it’s based on shared human experiences, and for many, it will hit close to home.
In Family Time, Kouvo masterfully balances humour with a poignant exploration of family ties, reminding viewers that even in dysfunction, there’s a kind of love holding everyone together. By the end, the film leaves us reflecting on the little rituals, arguments, and silences that define our own families. Family Time is not only a beautifully executed piece of filmmaking but also a gentle reminder that family gatherings, however awkward or strained, have a way of reconnecting us to our roots. Tia Kouvo’s debut feature is a testament to her talent and her unique voice in Finnish cinema, making her a director to watch in the years to come.
(This review contains spoilers.)
“I love having you here. It’s always such a shame when you have to leave. But that’s the way it is. Back to the daily grind.”
Tia Kouvo’s Family Time is a refreshing take on the holiday gathering movie, embracing deadpan humour and quiet observation to highlight the subtleties of familial tension and love. The story centers around a Christmas reunion where three generations of a Finnish family gather, each bringing their own quirks, grievances, and complexities to the table. Kouvo draws us into a homey yet chilly rural setting, where much of the action is contained within the grandparents’ modest house. The result is an intimate, almost voyeuristic experience that captures the holiday season’s unique blend of warmth and discomfort.
What stands out most in Family Time is its daring cinematographic style. Kouvo’s decision to use long static shots is bold, lending the film a grounded and almost documentary-like feel. Each scene is allowed to play out in real time, giving the actors space to express complex emotions with subtle gestures and glances. This slow-burn technique builds an atmosphere that feels entirely authentic, inviting viewers to observe rather than be directed on how to feel. While this approach might challenge some viewers’ expectations, it adds depth and realism to every interaction, making even the smallest gestures, like a glance or an eye roll, speak volumes about the characters' relationships.
Kouvo’s attention to detail shines in her portrayal of each family member, with each character distinctly drawn yet universally relatable. From Ella, the slightly disenchanted grandmother, to Lasse, the grumpy, TV-obsessed grandfather, the characters feel familiar in the best way possible. Kouvo’s cast is fully committed to their roles, delivering performances that are both understated and powerful. Elina Knihtilä and Ria Kataja, as the adult daughters Susanna and Helena, capture the conflicting emotions of duty and frustration that so often accompany family gatherings, while young Elli Paajanen as Hilla brings a sweet innocence that punctuates the film’s darker humour.
The humour in Family Time is subtle yet impactful, relying on the mundane and awkward rather than on overt jokes. Kouvo’s brand of comedy is far from typical slapstick or situational humour, instead leaning into moments of uncomfortable silence, banal conversations, and the minor mishaps that come with family gatherings. From an overly drawn-out debate over margarine versus butter to a misstep involving a family dog, Kouvo finds hilarity in the often-overlooked absurdity of everyday life. This nuanced comical aspect resonates because it’s based on shared human experiences, and for many, it will hit close to home.
In Family Time, Kouvo masterfully balances humour with a poignant exploration of family ties, reminding viewers that even in dysfunction, there’s a kind of love holding everyone together. By the end, the film leaves us reflecting on the little rituals, arguments, and silences that define our own families. Family Time is not only a beautifully executed piece of filmmaking but also a gentle reminder that family gatherings, however awkward or strained, have a way of reconnecting us to our roots. Tia Kouvo’s debut feature is a testament to her talent and her unique voice in Finnish cinema, making her a director to watch in the years to come.
