Family Therapy (film)
| Family Therapy | |
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Promotional poster | |
| Slovene | Odrešitev za začetnike |
| Literally | Salvation for beginners |
| Directed by | Sonja Prosenc |
| Written by |
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| Produced by |
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| Starring |
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| Cinematography | Mitja Ličen |
| Edited by | Ivana Fumić |
| Music by |
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Production companies |
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Release date |
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Running time | 122 minutes |
| Countries |
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| Box office | €4.3 million[1] |
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]
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 |
See also
- List of submissions to the 97th Academy Awards for Best International Feature Film
- List of Slovenian submissions for the Academy Award for Best International Feature Film
References
- ^ a b "Family Therapy". Mymovies.it. Retrieved 29 October 2025.
- ^ Prosenc, Sonja (8 June 2024). "Family Therapy". Cineuropa. Retrieved 28 October 2025.
- ^ Raup, Jordan (11 June 2024). "Exclusive Trailer for Sonja Prosenc's Family Therapy Puts a New Spin on Pasolini". The Film Stage. Retrieved 29 October 2025.
- ^ "Family Therapy". Tribeca Film Festival. 8 June 2024. Retrieved 28 October 2025.
- ^ "Family Therapy Slovenia's candidate for Oscar nomination". The Slovenia Times. 11 September 2024. Retrieved 28 October 2025.
- ^ "European titles submitted for the Oscars race". Cineuropa. 8 October 2024. Retrieved 28 October 2025.
- ^ Kudláč, Martin (16 June 2023). "KVIFF Eastern Promises reveals its latest crop of promising film projects". Cineuropa. Retrieved 29 October 2025.
- ^ Stojiljković, Marko (7 October 2022). "Sonja Prosenc begins shooting her third feature, Family Therapy". Cineuropa. Retrieved 29 October 2025.
- ^ Kudláč, Martin (19 April 2024). "Tribeca spotlights European films amidst a record number of submissions". Cineuropa. Retrieved 28 October 2025.
- ^ Ntim, Zac (25 July 2024). "Sarajevo Film Festival Sets Competition Titles Including 19 World Premieres". Deadline. Retrieved 28 October 2025.
- ^ "Family Therapy". Calgary International Film Festival. Retrieved 28 October 2025.
- ^ Lemercier, Fabien (5 November 2024). "The best of European cinema to dazzle in the Les Arcs Film Festival showcase". Cineuropa. Retrieved 28 October 2025.
- ^ De Marco, Camillo (10 January 2025). "The 36th Trieste Film Festival explores Europe's past and present". Cineuropa. Retrieved 28 October 2025.
- ^ Lemercier, Fabien (21 March 2025). "350 films set to showcase in Music & Cinema Marseille". Cineuropa. Retrieved 28 October 2025.
- ^ "Odrešitev Za Začetnike" [Family Therapy]. AlloCiné (in French). 27 August 2025. Retrieved 29 October 2025.
- ^ Jack Dunn (20 November 2024). "Tribeca Films Acquires 'The Featherweight,' 'Born Hungry' and Five Other Top Festival Titles". Variety. Retrieved 29 October 2025.
- ^ "Family Therapy". AlloCiné (in French). 27 August 2025. Retrieved 29 October 2025.
- ^ Alissa Simon (17 August 2024). "'Family Therapy' Review: An Absurdist Satirical Spin on Pasolini Loses Focus". Variety. Retrieved 29 October 2025.
- ^ "Tribeca Festival 2024 Announces Feature Film Lineup". Tribeca Film Festival. 17 April 2024. Retrieved 29 October 2025.
- ^ Stojiljković, Marko (26 August 2024). "Three Kilometres to the End of the World scoops the Heart of Sarajevo". Cineuropa. Retrieved 28 October 2025.
- ^ Stojiljković, Marko (28 October 2024). "Sonja Prosenc's Family Therapy wins big at the Festival of Slovenian Film". Cineuropa. Retrieved 28 October 2025.