FORCE OF HABIT

2019

Feature film

Now you see it.

A film by seven directors shows us moments in women’s lives that usually remain hidden.

Force of Habit follows the lives of various women throughout one day. Hilla is having a romantic vacation, Emmi is throwing a house party, and Milja is on her way to school when they’re approached by a stranger and things take an unexpected turn. At the same time, Emppu, a young actress, is conflicted as she rehearses for the biggest role of her life. Elsewhere, Aleksi, an inexperienced prosecutor, is preparing for his first court case in haste; Niina, the victim of the crime, has been waiting years to see her case tried. Miia throws a company party, and the mood dramatically changes when her colleague Katja opens up about their boss coming on to her. Miia and a couple of her closest colleagues try to resolve the situation, but how do the others react?

Force of Habit will show you your everyday life in a new light, seen from a fresh viewpoint. The absurd humor of the film will make you laugh and cry: is it really possible that these things happen all around us?

The film is based on six short films from Yksittäistapaus (Force of Habit Anthology Series) that portrays women’s everyday experiences of the exercise of power.

Festivals

Crossing Europe Film Festival, Austria, 2021
The Finnish Institute in Budapest, 2020
Raindance Film Festival, 2020
Nordic International Film Festival, New York, 2020
Hof International Film Festival, 2020
Durban International Film Festival, 2020
Leiden International Film Festival, 2020
Northern Lights Nordic Baltic Film Festival, Minsk, 2020
Red Carpet, Finland, 2020
Carl International Film Festival, 2020
Tartu Love Film Festival, 2020
Sydney Film Festival, 2020
Jeonju International Film Festival, 2020
Göteborg Film Festival, 2020
Helsinki International Film Festival, 2019

Awards

CROSSING EUROPE Award – YAAAS! Youth Jury, Crossing Europe Film Festival, Austria, 2021
Best Nordic Feature, Nordic International Film Festival, New York, 2020
Nordisk Film Prize, Jussi gala, 2020
Best Feature Film, Durban International Film Festival, 2020
Best Editing, Durban International Film Festival, 2020

Force of Habit was nominated for four National Film Awards (Jussi Awards) in 2020 in following categories:
Best Film (Elli Toivoniemi), Best Director (Kirsikka Saari, Elli Toivoniemi, Anna Paavilainen, Alli Haapasalo, Reetta Aalto, Jenni Toivoniemi, Miia Tervo), Best Screenplay (Kirsikka Saari, Elli Toivoniemi, Anna Paavilainen, Alli Haapasalo, Reetta Aalto, Jenni Toivoniemi, Miia Tervo) and Best Supporting Actor (Johannes Holopainen).

Credits

SCREENWRITERS AND DIRECTORS

Kirsikka Saari, Elli Toivoniemi, Anna Paavilainen, Alli Haapasalo, Reetta Aalto, Jenni Toivoniemi, Miia Tervo

MAIN CAST

Pinja Sanaksenaho, Julia Lappalainen, Krista Kosonen, Eero Ritala, Suvi Blick, Joonas Snellman, Seidi Haarla, Pirjo Lonka, Johannes Holopainen, Lotta Kaihua

PRODUCER

Elli Toivoniemi / Tuffi Films

PR

Tuffi Films, tottumiskysymys@tuffifilms.com

DISTRIBUTION

Arto Heiskanen, arto.heiskanen@tuffifilms.com +358 40 591 3688

INTERNATIONAL SALES

Totem Films

The project has received funding from the MEDIA programme of Creative Europe.