Movie Review: Rare Exports: A Christmas Tale

Wide-eyed with fear, rather than anticipation. Photo / Supplied

Rating: 3.5/5
Verdict: Wickedly funny and original idea not quite fully realised.

Rare Exports: A Christmas Tale is one of those rare films not afraid to go against the grain. This is not your average family friendly Christmas film starring Tim Allen as the big guy; rather it's a humorous and twisted Finnish black comedy featuring a nasty, evil Santa and not so helpful elves.

Initially, you could be mistaken and think you're watching a typically stark, sombre Scandinavian film, but pretty quickly director Jalmari Helander's dry, deadpan sense of humour seeps through. This film might present itself in a serious, straight-up manner, but its story is far from it.

A wonderfully outlandish idea that harks back to a time before Santa Claus was defined by Coca-Cola as a robust, red cheeked cheery fellow, here in the far north of Finland Santa Claus is regarded by folklore to be an evil child kidnapper. The truth of the folklore is revealed when a group of foreign miners arrive and start digging up Korvatunturi Mountain, Santa's burial site, and an imaginative young boy Pietari (Onni Tommila) and his father Rauno (Jorma Tommila) find a skinny, mysterious old man in their hunting trap.

The story gets more eccentric as Rauno, a reindeer hunter, and his mates decide what to do with their unexpected visitor, but it also gets more suspenseful, especially for the local children. With its gore, suspension, action and zombie-like elves, Rare Exports is just as much a thriller with a touch of horror to it, as it is a comedy or Christmas film.

At 83 minutes long it's a snappy watch, but undercooked. Based on Helander's short films Rare Exports Inc. and The Official Rare Exports Inc. Safety Instructions, this clever premise feels stretched here and it's all over far too soon. You want more of the great performances and the crazy, dark antics but the ending sneaks up on you, leaving you wondering "is that it?"

Apart from its premature ending, this mischievous festive fairytale is a refreshing, quirky debut feature. If you're looking for feelgood Christmas cheer, you're not going to find it here, but if the Christmas music blasting out of shops is already doing your head in, then you might find some comfort. Just don't let the littlies see it - this is one Santa you don't want to believe in.

LOWDOWN
Cast: Onni Tommila Jorma Tommila
Director: Jalmari Helander
Running time: 83 mins
Rating: M (violence & offensive language)

-TimeOut