Family Therapy (film)
2024 film by Sonja Prosenc
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Family Therapy (Slovene: Odrešitev za začetnike) is a 2024 dark comedy film written and directed by Sonja Prosenc. The film inspired by Pier Paolo Pasolini's 1968 Italian allegorical art film Teorema, follows a newly rich family whose life turned upside down when the patriarch's son from another relationship enters the family home and reveals cracks in their staid facade.[2][3]
- Sonja Prosenc
| Family Therapy | |
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| Slovene | Odrešitev za začetnike |
| Literally | Salvation for beginners |
| Directed by | Sonja Prosenc |
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| Starring |
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| Cinematography | Mitja Ličen |
| Edited by | Ivana Fumić |
| Music by |
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Running time | 122 minutes |
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| Box office | €4.3 million[1] |
The film had its world premiere in the International Narrative Competition section of the Tribeca Film Festival on 8 June 2024.[4]
It was also selected as the Slovenian entry for the Best International Feature Film at the 97th Academy Awards.[5][6]
Cast
- Mila Bezjak as Agatha
- Aliocha Schneider as Julien
- Marko Mandić as Alexander
- Katarina Stegnar as Olivia
- Judita Franković Brdar as Mila
- Jure Henigman as Tomaž
- Kristoffer Joner as Hunter
Production
In July 2023, the film in the post-production stage was presented at the KVIFF Eastern Promises, the industry platform of the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival.[7]
The filming began in the early October 2022 in Ljubljana, Slovenia.[8]
Release
Family Therapy had its world premiere on 8 June 2024 in the International Narrative Competition section of the Tribeca Film Festival.[9] It also competed for Heart of Sarajevo award in the Competition Programme - Feature Film at the 30th Sarajevo Film Festival on 18 August 2024.[10]
In September 2024, it competed in the International Narrative Competition at the Calgary International Film Festival and had its Canadian Premiere.[11]
In December 2024, it competed at the Les Arcs Film Festival in the Oscar on Skis for the Best International Film,[12] and in January 2025 at the Trieste Film Festival in the Feature-film Competition.[13]
In March 2025 it participated in the Marseille International Music & Cinema Festival and competed for the 2025 Grand Prize for Best Original Score.[14]
The film was released in the Italian cinemas on 28 January 2025.[1]
It was released in the French cinemas on 27 August 2025.[15]
In November 2024, Tribeca Films, an American independent film distribution label acquired the United States distribution rights of the film.[16]
Reception
On the AlloCiné, which lists 14 press reviews, the film obtained an average rating of 2.4/5.[17]
Alissa Simon of Variety reviewing the film at Sarajevo Film Festival described the film as largely enjoyable, though noted that director Sonja Prosenc lets the story lose focus and extend beyond several natural concluding points. However, the film's striking cinematography, compelling performances, "striking score by Primož Hladnik and Boris Benko" and "Tatjana Čanić Stanković’s glorious production design" were highlighted as redeeming qualities.[18]
Accolades
| Award | Date of ceremony | Category | Recipient | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tribeca Film Festival | 16 June 2024 | Best International Narrative Feature | Family Therapy | Nominated | [19] |
| Sarajevo Film Festival | 23 August 2024 | Heart of Sarajevo | Nominated | [20] | |
| CICAE Award | Won | ||||
| Festival of Slovenian Film | 26 October 2024 | Best Feature Film | Won | [21] | |
| Best Screenplay | Sonja Prosenc | Won | |||
| Best Leading Actress | Katarina Stegnar | Won | |||
| Best Lead Actor | Marko Mandić | Won | |||
| Best Original Music | Boris Benko, Primož Hladnik | Won | |||
| Best Supporting Actress | Mila Bezjak | Won | |||
| Best Production Design | Tajana Čanić Stanković | Won | |||
