Movie of the Day: Family Therapy (2024) by Sonja Prosenc
- dailyentertainment95
- Apr 8
- 5 min read
Updated: 7 days ago
Link to watch: https://www.justwatch.com/us/movie/family-therapy (US), https://www.justwatch.com/uk/movie/family-therapy (UK)
Link IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt28090401/
About movie: https://tribecafilm.com/films/family-therapy-2024
Detailed Summary
"Family Therapy" revolves around a nouveau riche Slovenian family living in a strikingly modern glass house, exuding an air of detached superiority. The family consists of Aleksander, the self-proclaimed macho patriarch; his pristine and proper wife, Olivia; and their silent but observant teenage daughter, Agata, who wears a distinctive brunette wig. Their seemingly perfect and rigidly formal life is disrupted by the arrival of Julien, Aleksander's 25-year-old son from a previous relationship. Aleksander has invited Julien with the underlying motive of entering a "perfect family" contest to win a trip to space. Julien's presence unsettles the family's delicate balance, revealing their internal issues, fears, and dysfunctional relationships. Olivia is deeply unhappy, Aleksander escapes reality, and Agata hides secrets beneath her wig. The film takes a satirical approach, blending dark humor with a deeper exploration of the family's interpersonal conflicts and their detached perspective from the outside world. Their isolated existence is further challenged when another family arrives seeking help after their car breaks down, exposing the Kraljs' disdain and social elitism. The arrival of these outsiders acts as a catalyst for change, forcing each family member to confront their own realities.
Plot Summary
A wealthy and seemingly perfect Slovenian family's life is upended by the arrival of the patriarch's estranged son, who exposes their long-standing dysfunctions. The patriarch's ulterior motive for the invitation is to win a "perfect family" contest for a trip to space. Further chaos ensues with the unexpected arrival of another family in need.
Director's Vision
Sonja Prosenc aimed to create a darkly humorous and satirical film that reimagines the premise of Pasolini's "Teorema." Her vision was to depict the gradual corruption of a seemingly perfect family, not by savage outsiders, but through their own internal dynamics and detached superiority. The film uses the arrival of a stranger to disrupt the family's rigid formality and reveal the chaos hidden beneath the surface, offering a commentary on contemporary social issues through a tragi-comedic lens.
Themes
Dysfunctional Family Dynamics: The film explores the complex and unhappy relationships within the seemingly perfect Kralj family.
Social Satire and Class Critique: The movie satirizes the nouveau riche, their detached superiority, and their skewed moral compass.
The Illusion of Perfection: The family's glass house symbolizes their attempt to project an image of perfection that is ultimately fragile.
The Arrival of the Outsider: The presence of Julien and the second family acts as a catalyst, exposing the family's true nature and prompting self-exploration.
Self-Exploration and Acceptance: The film hints at themes of individual catharsis and understanding that all families are different, even the seemingly perfect ones.
Key Success Factors
Strong Ensemble Performances: The cast, including Marko Mandić, Katarina Stegnar, Aliocha Schneider, and Mila Bezjak, deliver compelling performances that capture the dysfunctional family dynamic.
Sharp Social Satire: The film's biting commentary on the wealthy and their disconnectedness is a key strength.
Unique Visual Style: The modern glass house setting and deliberate art direction contribute to the film's distinct atmosphere.
Blending of Comedy and Drama: The film effectively combines dark humor with more serious explorations of family issues.
Summary Short
A wealthy Slovenian family's meticulously ordered life cracks apart with the arrival of the patriarch's estranged son and another family seeking help, revealing their hidden dysfunctions and detached worldview in a darkly comedic satire.
Awards and Nominations
"Family Therapy" won the Vesna Award for Best Film at the 2024 Festival of Slovenian Film Portorož, where it also won awards for screenplay, best actress, best actor, best supporting actress, music, and production design. It also won the Zivko Nikolic Award at the Filmski Festival Herceg Novi - Montenegro Film Festival. Additionally, it received nominations at the Sarajevo Film Festival and the Tribeca Film Festival.
Critics Reception
Critical reception for "Family Therapy" has been mixed. While some praise its exquisite craft, satirical edge, and strong performances, others found the story confusing and lacking clear direction.
Reviews
Loud And Clear Reviews: Highlighted the film's focus on the Kralj family's existing dysfunction and its satirical take on their pursuit of a perfect image.
Reel News Daily: Described the film as a twisted tale of trauma set in a nouveau riche household, noting the deliberate art design and the impact of the music.
YouTube Reviewer: Found the film random but praised its writing and direction, suggesting Sonja Prosenc is one to watch.
IMDb User Reviews: Some users praised the top-notch craft but found the themes muddled and the time dragging, while others criticized the confusing story and shallow characters.
Box Office
"Family Therapy" has grossed $20,352 worldwide.
Production
"Family Therapy" is a Slovenian film directed by Sonja Prosenc, produced by Zavod Mono o, in co-production with Incipit Film (Italy), Incitus film (Norway), Wolfgang&Dolly (Croatia), and Living Pictures (Serbia). The film has a runtime of 122 minutes.
Production Companies
Zavod Mono o (Slovenia)
Incipit Film (Italy)
Incitus film (Norway)
Wolfgang&Dolly (Croatia)
Living Pictures (Serbia)
Sales Companies: Tribeca Films
Theatrical Release
The film had its world premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival (June 8-14, 2024) and was released in limited theaters, with a potential wider release depending on the territory.
Why to Recommend This Movie
Darkly Humorous and Satirical: The film offers a biting critique of wealth and social pretenses.
Intriguing Premise: The disruption of a seemingly perfect family by outsiders creates compelling drama.
Visually Striking: The modern glass house and art direction are noteworthy.
Why to Watch Movie
For a Unique Blend of Comedy and Drama: The film balances its satirical tone with deeper explorations of family dysfunction.
To See a Film from Slovenian Cinema: Explore international filmmaking and storytelling.
To Engage with Themes of Social Class and Family Dynamics: The movie provokes thought on these relevant topics.
What Movie Trend Film is Following
Dysfunctional Family Dramas: The film aligns with a trend of movies that delve into the complexities and often dark secrets within families.
Social Satire: The film uses humor and irony to critique the behaviors and values of a specific social group (the nouveau riche).
Intruder Narrative: The arrival of Julien and the other family disrupts the established order, a common trope in psychological dramas and thrillers.
What Big Social Trend is Following
Critique of Wealth and Inequality: The film subtly touches on the social trend of examining the behaviors and ethics of the wealthy in contrast to those less fortunate.
Openness to Exploring Imperfect Families: The film reflects a broader social acceptance of portraying families with all their flaws and dysfunctions, moving away from idealized portrayals.
Final Verdict
"Family Therapy" is a darkly comedic and satirical take on a wealthy family whose carefully constructed world begins to crumble with the arrival of unexpected guests. While opinions on the film's overall success may vary, its sharp social commentary, intriguing premise, and strong performances make it a noteworthy entry in contemporary European cinema.
Recommendations for Film Makers
Use Satire to Explore Social Issues: The film effectively employs humor to critique the behavior of the wealthy elite.
Create Strong Visual Metaphors: The glass house setting serves as a powerful symbol of the family's superficiality and lack of privacy.
Develop Complex and Flawed Characters: The dysfunction within the family provides rich material for dramatic and comedic exploration.
Recommendations for Movie Industry
Support Diverse Voices in International Cinema: Sonja Prosenc's film offers a unique perspective from Slovenian filmmaking.
Recognize the Appeal of Socially Conscious Comedy: Films that blend humor with relevant social commentary can resonate with audiences.
Provide Platforms for Films with Unique Narrative Structures: The blending of satire, drama, and elements of dark comedy offers an unconventional yet potentially engaging cinematic experience.
Comments