Rare Import Of A Rare Export

Every now and again I'll get an idea to watch a certain theme of movie at a certain time of year. This might be a Christmas themed film at Christmas, horror themed films at Halloween and, near Valentines Day, more horror themed films. You get the idea. One film I considered watching this Christmas was Rare Exports: A Christmas Tale, but due to one thing or another that needed my attention, I didn't get round to watching it. Which is a damned shame as Rare Exports is one of the most enjoyable Christmas movies I've ever seen.

Made in Finland, it follows a small rural farming community on the 24th and 25th of December. When it becomes clear that the company blasting the neighbouring mountain apart have unearthed something 'unnatural', the small group of farmers and their kids are forced into action to save their lives, their children and their livelihoods. It's similar to The Troll Hunter as it centres on an ancient myth being reinvented as if it really existed in the modern world, but instead of Trolls it's Santa Claus himself.

What makes Rare Exports such a joy is the tone. It's like a horror Amblin movie, but pushed to far greater extremes of horror than Joe Dante ever attempted with Gremlins. It's almost like the perfect family Christmas adventure story that you and your kids can sit down and enjoy together on Christmas Eve...yet it's filled with swearing, gore and a disturbing, satanic Santa. Like Pans Labyrinth its a film about kids...but not really for kids. It's tightly written with quirky characters that are splendidly performed by Finland's finest, has some strong effects work and a lush musical score; although it's small in production it feels big in size. And it has something that a lot of fantasy films and family movies fail to capture...and that's a sense of wonder.

This is a mad cross between 70's Disney-era live-action (like The Cat From Outer Space) and splatter era Peter Jackson (Bad Taste). It shouldn't work, but it does...really, really well. Try and remember it this December.