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

Technical Information

Germany/Finland 2023, Fiction, 105 Minutes, Color 2K
24F/Sec, 1:1,235, Dolby 5.1, German, English, Finnish with Engl. Subtitles