FORCE OF HABIT
Finland, Sweden , 2019 / 75 min / OV Finnish with English subt. / Drama, Comedy
Shot by seven female directors, Force of Habit reveals moments of discrimination in women’s everyday lives.
With a false sense of lightness, this anthology film shows how patriarchal power structures still determine and influence women’s experiences.
“The strength of each film is to make you experience as a spectator, whether you are a man or a woman, these revelatory instances that are sometimes so common, you tend to no longer pay attention to them.” - Extracts from the film’s press kit, written by film critic Iris Brey
| Fri | 04/03 | 09:00 | Ciné Utopia | Finnish OV with ENG subt. | Scolaire | https://www.luxfilmfest.lu/en/registration-films-workshops |
| Fri | 04/03 | 18:30 | Ciné Utopia | Finnish OV with ENG subt. | Public | https://luxfilmfestfilms.megatix.be/en/HO00004317?locationFilters=LFFCU&dateTime... |
| Thu | 10/03 | 09:00 | Cinémathèque | Finnish OV with DE subt. | Scolaire | https://www.luxfilmfest.lu/en/registration-films-workshops |
“Despite being a compilation of originally disparate short films, Force of Habit works remarkably well as a single, cohesive work. The films are not shown back-to-back, but weaved together, bringing out overarching themes and echoing the universality of these experiences. The editing also cleverly inserts anxiety into seemingly harmless situations, mimicking the apprehension of the central characters. The seven writers and directors are equally matched in their talent for intimate, conversational dialogue and conflict, and the quality remains consistent across all six stories.” - Pihla Pekkarinen, The UCL Film & TV Society Blog, 13/11/2020
“In contrast with its subject matter, the film is beautifully shot and manages to create impact with the camera work alone. The final shot in particular, which I won’t go into detail with as I think you need to experience it for yourself, manages to sum up the themes and purpose of the films existence in one pan. There is so much to unpack within this film that I could honestly write on and on and on about it but I think it would be more important to watch it and have those conversations in person with others. I am annoyed at myself that I left this film until last so now I can’t tell more people to watch it, but if it ever comes to a streaming service or festival near you, I would recommend you go and watch it as it is one of the most important films to come out of the modern age.” - The Women’s Direction, 22/06/2020
- Crossing Europe Award – YAAAS ! Youth Jury, Crossing Europe Film Festival, 2021 (Austria)
- Best Nordic Feature, Nordic International Film Festival, 2020 (New York)
- Nordisk Film Prize, Jussi gala, 2020 (Finland)
- Best Feature Film, Durban International Film Festival, 2020 (South Africa)
- Best Editing, Durban International Film Festival, 2020 (South Africa)
Reetta Aalto
Reetta Aalto was born in 1976 in Finland. She is a director and writer, known for Force of Habit (2019), Girl’s Night (2008) and To Live, to Exist (2007).
Alli Haapasalo
Alli Haapasalo is a Finnish film director and screenwriter. She received acclaim for writing and directing On Thin Ice, her thesis film for New York University’s famed film school Tisch School of the arts. Love and Fury (2016) is her feature debut.
Anna Paavilainen
Anna Paavilainen was born on April 7, 1983 in Mikkeli, Finland. She is an actress and director, known for Force of Habit (2019), Two Bodies on a Beach (2019) and Summertime (2014).
Kirsikka Saari
Kirsikka Saari is a writer and a director, known for Do I have to Take Care of Everything (2012), Stupid Young Heart (2018), Super Comfort (2018) and Force of Habit (2019). She was born in Helsinki, Finland.
Miia Tervo
Miia Tervo is a director and writer, known for Aurora (2019), Force of Habit (2019) and Little Snow Animal (2009)
Elli Toivoniemi
Elli Toivoniemi is a producer and director, known for Force of Habit (2019), Stupid Young Heart (2018) and Role (2014)
Jenni Toivoniemi
Jenni Toivoniemi is a director known for Force of Habit (2019), The Date (2012) and Games People Play (2020)
