POWER OF LOVE (2023)
105 minutes | fiction | Germany, Finland | stickup filmproduktion in co-production with BUFO, RBB & arte
Watch Trailer on Vimeo
Synopsis
Saara (35) and Robert (32) are high on their love. Just recently Robert moved from Berlin to Helsinki to give their relationship a real perspective. Their love is a constant play with gender role clichés and power relations, yet behind the unconventional façade, both have to struggle with their fears and insecurities. Looking forward to a time-out, the two set off to an extensive summer holiday on a lonely island in the Finnish archipelago. Triggered by the rough nature, the couple falls back into archaic patterns they are desperately trying to overcome.
Reviews
„POWER OF LOVE explores power structures within a relationship through sex scenes in a way that has never been seen before in Finland.“
Maija Alander, Helsingin Sanomat
„An intelligent reflection on the power dynamics in a relationship.“
Leena Virtanen, Helsingin Sanomat
★ ★ ★ ★
„Romance verging on thriller“
Kaisu Tervonen, Anna
★ ★ ★ ★
„Excellent acting makes the film an intriguing experience“
Pia Hyvönen, EEVA
„Director Jonas Rothlaender depicts hot eroticism and cold power dynamics in a film that challenges the classic image of archipelago romance.“
Silja Sahlgren-Fodstad, Svenska Yle
„The peaceful images of Finnish nature form a stark contrast to the inner rawness of Saara in particular. ‘Power of Love’ is an unsettling, modern, sobering drama that is definitely worth seeing.“
Britta Schmeis, epd Film
„…a cinematic Kammerspiel in front of a large backdrop. A quiet drama that provides no answers, but leaves room to reflect on love, dependency and role models.“
Janina Ventker, Münchner Merkur
„Director Jonas Rothlaender’s courageous and contemporary German-Finnish co-production follows the couple in their intense, not always unproblematic struggle between hot eroticism, chilly power dynamics and the small, crucial questions of everyday life. A complex portrait of the possibilities and limits of a modern relationship.“
Annett Scheffel, Süddeutsche Zeitung
Festivals
36. Helsinki Film Festival
57. Internationale Hofer Filmtage
20. Achtung Berlin Film Festival 2024
28. Filmfest Schleswig-Holstein 2024
Espoo Cine Film Festival 2024
Awards & Nominations
Saara Kotkaniemi, Nomination for actress of the year for her role in „Power of Love“ by the Finnish Actors Union
Cast
Saara Kotkaniemi
Nicola Perot
Outi Mäenpää
Cecilia Paul
Elmer Bäck
Timo Torikka
Crew
Writer & Director
Jonas Rothlaender
Cinematography
Carmen Treichl
Editor
Anne Fabini
Production Design
Kaisa Mäkinen
Costume Design
Roosa Marttini
Make-Up
Minna Pilvinen
Anna Kulju
Original Sound & Sounddesign
Julian Cropp
Mixing
Johannes Kunz
Music
Julius Pollux Rothlaender
Casting
Minna Sorvoja
Ulrike Müller
Commissioning Editor RBB
Cooky Ziesche
Commissioning Editor RBB/arte
Manuel Tanner
Commissioning Editor arte
Barbara Häbe
Commissioning Editor YLE
Erkki Astala
Produced by
Luisa Leopold
Julia M. Müller
Dennis Schanz
Luis Singer
Co-produced by
Misha Jari
Mark Lwoff
StickUp Filmproduktion in co-production with BUFO & rbb
In collaboration with arte & YLE
Supported by
Die Beauftragte der Bundesregierung für Kultur und Medien (BKM)
Medienboard Berlin-Brandenburg
Deutscher Filmförderfonds
Finnish Film Foundation
West Finland Film Commission
Eurimages
Script development supported by
Moin Filmförderung Hamburg Schleswig-Holstein
© StickUp Filmproduktion, Bufo, rbb 2023
Technical Information
Germany/Finland 2023, Fiction, 105 Minutes, Color 2K
24F/Sec, 1:1,235, Dolby 5.1, German, English, Finnish with Engl. Subtitles