Force Majeure

In select theaters
October 24^th 2014

December 31^st 1969

118 minutes

Swedish
French
English

Sweden
Denmark
Norway

A critical favorite at this year's Cannes Film Festival, where it took the Jury Prize in Un Certain Regard, this wickedly funny and precisely observed psychodrama tells the story of a model Swedish family—handsome businessman Tomas, his willowy wife Ebba and their two blond children—on a skiing holiday in the French Alps. The sun is shining and the slopes are spectacular but, during a lunch at a mountainside restaurant, an avalanche suddenly bears down on the happy diners. With people fleeing in all directions and his wife and children in a state of panic, Tomas makes a decision that will shake his marriage to its core and leave him struggling to reclaim his role as family patriarch.

starring...

Johannes Bah Kuhnke

Tomas

Lisa Loven Kongsli

Ebba

Clara Wettergren

Vera

Vincent Wettergren

Harry

Kristofer Hivju

Mats

Fanni Metelius

Fanni

Director, Screenwriter

Ruben Östlund

Director of Photography

Fredrik Wenzel

Music

Ola Fløttum

Production Design

Josefin Åsberg

Costume Design

Pia Aleborg

Sound

Kjetil Mørk, Rune Van Deurs, Jesper Miller

72% on the CINEMETER

72% - Sep 21, 2014

Nuanced and realistic portrait of families' relationships worldwide. Interesting look at gender roles, what makes a hero, the pressures to be the perfect family. Beautiful and then claustrophobic....now I remember why I don't like skiing.
San Francisco Member

Astonishing cinematography which actually conveyed the feel of skiing, the terror of the avalanche. A well-scripted story of a family that felt true and real. Fantastic use of ambient sound, industrial noises.
San Francisco Member

I loved the juxtaposition of lots of ordinariness against the constant backdrop of danger. This film provoked the most bathroom discussion since the Zombie movie!
San Francisco Member

44% - Sep 21, 2014

A great start to the season. When I read the synopsis and it said "wickedly funny . . . psychodrama," I wondered how they would pull this off - well, they did.
Greater New Haven Member

While slow at times and a little long, I liked this film for its use of photography and sound.
Greater New Haven Member

Excellent contrast of humor and deeply serious human behavioral situations. Interesting study of "what would you have done" in such a situation.
Greater New Haven Member

I have to get some classical music to go with my electric toothbrush.
Greater New Haven Member

MIL

90% - Sep 21, 2014

Wonderful! Thanks for showing this film! I had been looking forward to it since Cannes.
Milwaukee Member

Great movie! Good example of primal feelings destroying us.
Milwaukee Member

It reminded me of Ingmar Bergman movies. Lots of angst but with a little humor.
Milwaukee Member

Milwaukee Member

71% - Sep 21, 2014

Powerful story, surreal cinematography.
Washington, DC Member

It took me until the end to realize how good a movie it is - most moviegoers would not be so patient.
Washington, DC Member

Original, thought-provoking plot that could lead to hours of "what would you do if..." conversations.
Washington, DC Member

I couldn't figure this movie out, but I recognized all of it - the fights, the thrill/terror of skiing, the oddness of people. Is it really a horror story? Maybe. In some ways it is more terrifying than Nightmare on Elm Street.
Washington, DC Member

An interesting film about men and women and their reactions to danger and fulfilling obligations.
Washington, DC Member

BOS

75% - Sep 21, 2014

Dramatic! Exciting! Photography spectacular. A total knockout. The suspense was unbelievable.
Boston Member

Well crafted and provocative—brilliantly conceived.
Boston Member

Captivating, interesting, suspenseful—journey of human nature and a family.
Boston Member

Brilliantly drawn psychologically! Life’s ambiguities in gray!
Boston Member

The expressions on faces throughout were wonderful==beginning with the group photo during the credits.
Boston Member

STL

72% - Sep 28, 2014

Loved this movie—a beautiful exploration of human emotion, conflict and resolve. Amazing moments of tension and a well-acted story. Very human!
St. Louis Member

Bravo! Love the emotional plot, thought the feelings and dialogue regarding the avalanche were terrific, very realistic. Loved that the female lead stood up for herself. Slow in sections but over all really enjoyed it. Thank goodness for the humor, very necessary. The other couple was great. Thank you!!!
St. Louis Member

The director designed the pace of the editing of the film to make it an opportunity for therapy for the audience. It is designed to make the viewer experience a personal therapy session.
St. Louis Member

Interesting film about how an unanticipated and life-threatening event causes people to reflect on who they are, and what they do. This even impacts acquaintance s to ask themselves what they would have done in those circumstances. The film is raised to a broader level—that of the roles of men and women in life, the stereotypes, the changing images. It brings into question, can we meet the expectations we set for ourselves every moment of every day? Are the expectations/values we have set for ourselves unrealistic for ourselves every day? It is an intellectual, self reflecting movie, not for everyone.
St. Louis Member

Terrific. “Scenes from a Marriage” meets “North Face” meets “No Exit.” Metaphors abound. Tomas and Ebba come face-to-face with themselves. Glacial pacing is appropriate to the theme. The unbearable whiteness of being could be an alternate title. Really thought-provoking and emotionally evocative.
St. Louis Member

ATL

79% - Sep 28, 2014

Fantastically controlled, like the intentional avalanche, this movie held my interest and left me breathless. Loved it.
Atlanta Member

Fascinating family/character study. Very high on all levels.
Atlanta Member

Challenging to endure but worthwhile--revealing of the fragility of human nature in contrast to the supreme power of the avalanche/nature. Use of sound is fabulous--intensifies the story/ emotions.
Atlanta Member

The squirm-worth scenes were played to delicious perfection. This film redefined "awkward silence," as well as "emasculation."
Atlanta Member

Second definition of force majeure: an unexpected character-defining moment. Can behavior be changed or altered? Are there some behaviors that one must accept to protect a relationship? This film offers questions and doesn't offer solutions. An exceptional film. Photography was of course extraordinary.
Atlanta Member

Magnolia