‘Family Time’ Review: Christmas Cheer and Domestic Discord in Finland’s Oscar Submission
VarietyStory by Dharv2014
scrn logline
Finland's Oscar submission offers a fly-on-the-wall glimpse at a dysfunctional family's Christmas gathering, with a uniquely subtle, voyeuristic approach.
beat sheet
- Director Tia Kouvo's feature debut employs long, stationary shots to make the audience feel like a silent observer of the family's domestic discord
- Despite the scripted nature, the film's low-key style makes it feel like a true-life 'Paranormal Activity' of holiday dramas, blurring the line between fiction and reality
call sheet
Tia Kouvo, Family Time, Paranormal Activity