DAY 2 – RARE EXPORTS: A CHRISTMAS TALE (2010)

Starring: Jorma Tomilla, Omni Tomilla, Tommi Korpella, Rauno Juvonen

Directed By: Jalmari Helander

Synopsis: In the depths of the Korvatunturi mountains, 486 metres deep, lies the closest ever guarded secret if Christmas. The time has come to dig it up. This Christmas everyone will believe in Santa Claus.

This Finnish film made minor ripples when released three years ago. It was fairly well received by critics, but obviously not seen by most of the population, which is a pity because it deserves to be seen, even if it’s because it is something against the norm.

The film re-imagines Santa Clause, not as a cuddly, loveable present giver, but as a sinister, stick thin bent up old guy who has been buried underground for hundreds of years. He is dug up but things take a dodgy turn when reindeer go missing, as do children who have been ‘bad’!

Originally this was a short film on the internet, and after a general buzz, it got made into a feature. I haven’t seen the short, but it certainly works well enough for a feature length film. I liked the fact that, despite being a ‘Christmas’ movie, the film very much painted Santa as a dark character to be wary of. It did have moments of comedy and light heartedness, and a hint of the surreal to it in places.

I’m going to give this one a

Tags: Christmas, films, Finland, movies, Rare Exports, Rare Exports: A Christmas Tale, reviews, Santa, Santa Claus