Drama
Denmark,France,Norway,Sweden
Force Majeure, a 2014 Swedish film, follows the story of a family of four who are on a skiing holiday in the French Alps. Early on in the film, the family is dining at a restaurant on the slopes when they witness a controlled avalanche. As they admire the spectacle, the avalanche seems to go out of control and heads straight for the restaurant. In a moment of panic, the father Tomas (played by Johannes Kuhnke) abandons his wife Ebba (played by Lisa Loven Kongsli) and their two children in order to save himself. The avalanche turns out to be a controlled one after all, and no one is hurt.
The incident causes significant tension between Tomas and Ebba, as she is hurt and feels betrayed by his actions. The rest of the film revolves around the family's strained interactions and their attempts to come to terms with the trauma of the incident. As they continue their holiday, Tomas tries to rationalize his actions while Ebba struggles to forgive him. Meanwhile, their children pick up on the tension and start acting out, adding another layer of complexity to the family's dynamics.
Throughout the film, the question of what constitutes bravery and cowardice is explored. Tomas tries to defend his actions as a natural human reaction to danger, while Ebba sees them as a fundamental betrayal of their family unit. As the story unfolds, the family is forced to confront their own flaws and vulnerabilities in unexpected ways.
Force Majeure received critical acclaim for its realistic portrayal of family tension and its exploration of gender roles. The film was nominated for numerous awards, including the Palme d'Or at the 2014 Cannes Film Festival.
