IT’S ALL RIGHT

The young prosecutor Aleksi (Johannes Holopainen) is unexpectedly called to his first trial, which is about rape. Aleksi represents Niina (Lotta Kaihua), who has waited for the trial for years. When the session starts, Aleksi has had way too little and Niina way too much time to prepare. Will the system give mercy to Aleksi and justice to Niina? It’s All Right is directed by Miia Tervo and written by Miia Tervo and Jenni Toivoniemi, and it is part of the film anthology Force of Habit.

Directed by: Miia Tervo
Screenplay by: Miia Tervo & Jenni Toivoniemi
Produced by: Elli Toivoniemi
Cinematography by: Päivi Kettunen F.S.C.
Production design by: Katariina Kapi
Costume design by: Roosa Marttiini
Make-up design by: Kaisu Hölttä
Editing by: Antti Reikko
Sound design by: Lotta Mäki

CAST:

Aleksi: Johannes Holopainen
Niina: Lotta Kaihua
Virpi: Ria Kataja
Kari: Tommi Korpela
Puolustusasianajaja: Leo Honkonen
Juha: Chike Ohanwe
Marja: Ona Kamu
Niinan aviomies: Martti Tervo

Country of production: Finland
Duration: 16:12
Domestic content rating: 12

I investigated legislation regarding rape in Finland and things that are associated with it for a feature-length documentary. The cases that are portrayed in the film are based on reality: the experiences and legal texts are from actual legal documents. One of my harshest observations was that a lot of the women that I interviewed felt that the legal process – if there even was one – was very traumatic. Every year, thousands of women don’t report being raped because they recognize and are afraid of the crushing effect the legal process might have. Why seek “justice” when you won’t get it in the humiliating legal process. At the moment our society’s message is that stealing a purse is more serious a crime than injuring another person, perhaps for life. Are we really doing the best we can?

Miia Tervo, director-writer

What do you see differently after having seen the film? Share your insights!

DISCUSS THE FILM!

DOWNLOAD PDF FILE HERE

The discussion material created by the Yksittäistapaus campaign and the Timeout Foundation help you have constructive dialogue about the film and to see things from a new perspective. The discussion material is especially designed to support dialogue in school lessons.

You can lead the discussion by showing the guidelines and discussion questions to the participants directly through the slide show below. You can download and print the more extensive guidelines with additional support for the leader of the discussion as a PDF file.

IT'S ALL RIGHT

The discussion guidelines

WHAT HAPPENS IN THE COURT ROOM?

START

Today, we’re having a Timeout Dialogue based on
the Yksittäistapaus short film.

1/11

5 min

Let’s try to share our own thoughts and experiences
confidentially.

We don’t have to agree. But let’s try to understand
the matter at hand and each other better.

In the discussion, we don’t have to make decisions
or resolve anything. We can talk in peace.

We use the Rules of constructive dialogue in the discussion.
Now let’s briefly go though them...

THE RULES OF CONSTRUCTIVE DIALOGUE

1. Listen to others, do not interrupt or start side discussions.

Do we all commit to these rules together?

2. Participate in the shared discussion and use respectful language.

3. Share your own experiences and thoughts.

6. Take your time to think about the matters and summarise.
Give room for incompleteness.
What did we learn from discussing the matter together?
What insights did we gain?

2/11

4. Ask if you didn’t quite understand.

5. Be present and respect others and the atmosphere of trust.

INTRODUCTION

We will now see a short film called It´s All Right.

3 min

After that, we will have some time to talk about
the short film and the thoughts it provoked in us.

If you encounter some challenging or unpleasant
emotions today, you can find advice and information
about where to find help from the address
yksittaistapaus.fi.

3/11

BUZZING IN PAIRS

Now, find a partner. Discuss together what kind of thoughts
the film evoked in you.

5 min

What happened in the court room?

What kinds of thoughts did their behaviour evoke in you?

If you want, you can share with your partner if you have
had experiences of the theme of the short film.

Did some of the persons act or behave wrongly, how?

Make sure that there is enough time for both of you
to share your thoughts.

4/11

Why did the characters of the film behave as they did?

JOINT DISCUSSION

Now let´s share with the whole group what you talked about.

What kinds of thoughts did you have of the short film
and the behaviour of its main characters?

Use some of these questions to go further with the discussion:

What kind of power was exercised in the film?

25 min

How can victims of violence be better taken into account in
society? What are the ways to achieve a better situation?

Why didn’t the experienced attorneys want to take the case
and preferred to focus on white-collar crimes?

Why was the situation so hard for the young prosecutor?

Share your thoughts on the reasons that led to many
things going wrong in the trial and the victim’s rights
not being realised.

What kind of additional information and training would
he have needed in order to do better?

Remember the Rules of constructive dialogue and make sure
everyone gets to share their thoughts.

What would have made the situation better for the victim?
What could everyone have done differently?

5/11

THINGS TO KNOW

Make sure everyone knows answers to these questions.

Click the box if you want further information on the topic.

What to do if you are harassed, abused or the target of some other sex offence? What if you witness a sex offence or hear about someone who has experienced a sex offence?

6/11

What is sexism?
What does gender sensitivity mean?
What does the law say about sex offences?

THEMES TO BE
DISCUSSED FURTHER

(Skip this part if you are having a 45 min conversation)

5 min

We have now raised at least a few of the main themes
in the discussion

Now let´s discuss together which of these themes we will focus on.

2) is unclear or filled with tension.

Discuss together with the pair sitting next you on
which theme you would like to focus.

A good topic:

You have a few minutes to do this.

Pick a topic that gets most mentions in your pair discussions.

If no consensus is reached, the instructor will choose the topic.

1) is relevant to as many participants as possible

7/11

CONTINUE THE DISCUSSION

25 min

Now, let’s continue the discussion on the topic we just
decided we will discuss further.

Tell the others about an event or situation that has affected
the way you think about this topic.

What kinds of thoughts and/or experiences came to the minds
of the rest while you were listening to the previous speaker?

Make sure that those who have not participated yet in
the discussion will get to share their thoughts.

8/11

(Skip this part if you are having a 45 min conversation)

WRITING INSIGHTS

9/11

Thank you for a great and constructive discussion!

Next, we will write the insights we gained in this discussion.

Think of a few insights or thoughts that remained in your
mind from the discussion. Write these in your own paper.

Do you see some things differently after the discussion
or having seen the film?

You don’t have to write your name on the paper.
The instructor will collect the insights written on paper
at the end and create a summary of them.

Pick one insight you would like to share with others.

2-3 min

SHARING INSIGHTS

10/11

Now each of you can share one insight or thought about
this discussion or topic in one sentence.

We would love to hear your insights as well!

3 min

Share your insights here

ENDING

11/11

What did this Timeout discussion and the topic feel like?

What kind of a feeling or vibe did you get from
the joint discussion?

Hopefully this discussion wil continue at some point!

THANK YOU FOR PARTICIPATING THE DISCUSSION!

2 min

Project Description

IT’S ALL RIGHT

What do you see differently after having seen the film? Share your insights!

DISCUSS THE FILM!