Watch Rare Exports: A Christmas Tale

Rare Exports: A Christmas Tale is a Finnish dark fantasy-horror film directed by Jalmari Helander. The movie is based on two short films that Helander made in 2003 and 2005, both of which feature the same characters and storyline as the feature-length version. The movie premiered in Norway in November 2010 and released worldwide in the same month.

The story is set in the remote landscape of northern Finland, where a group of American archaeologists has landed to excavate a large hill. However, they soon learn that the hill is not as abandoned as they thought, and that it hides a dark and ancient secret: the tomb of Santa Claus. But this is not just any Santa Claus; it's a monstrous creature that resembles the pagan god of thunder, Odin.

The plot centers around a young boy named Pietari (Onni Tommila) who accidentally discovers that the local reindeer herders have captured and caged the real Santa Claus, who happens to be the source of the myth surrounding the red-suited gift-bringer of Christmas fame. Pietari tries to tell his father, Rauno (Jorma Tommila), but Rauno believes that his son has been reading too much about the old Santa Claus myths and that the stories are the result of cartels buying up local children to sell as Santa's elves to department stores for Christmas promotions.

As the Christmas season approaches, the villagers begin to disappear, and strange things begin to happen. Pietari and his father soon realize that the true nature of the ancient and evil Santa Claus myth is about to be unleashed on their small town.

One of the most notable aspects of the film is the way it merges the traditional idea of Santa Claus with an ancient Finnish legend. The filmmakers create a dark, twisted version of the beloved character, presenting him as a sinister and powerful figure who uses Christmas as a cover for his malevolent deeds. The movie cleverly takes the idea of Santa Claus and turns it on its head, creating a fascinating and unforgettable piece of horror.

One of the standout performances in the film comes from Onni Tommila, who portrays young Pietari with impressive authenticity and maturity. Despite his young age, he carries the story on his shoulders, and the audience can't help but sympathize with his character's predicament. Jorma Tommila, as Pietari's father Rauno, also delivers a solid performance, portraying a rugged and pragmatic working man who is not easily swayed by legends and folklore.

The movie's visual style is gritty and uncompromising, capturing the starkness of the Finnish landscape and the harshness of the winter climate. The cold, dark, and barren setting creates a perfect atmosphere for the film's unsettling tone, and the cinematography is expertly crafted to heighten the tension and suspense.

The film's score is equally effective, featuring a haunting and eerie soundtrack that adds another layer of depth to the movie's unsettling mood. The music is expertly woven into the narrative, creating an immersive and spine-tingling experience for the audience.

Rare Exports: A Christmas Tale is a unique and memorable horror film that brilliantly blends the macabre with the whimsical. It delivers an offbeat and quirky take on the traditional Christmas genre, immersing the audience in a dark and twisted world that is both fascinating and frightening. The film is a true gem of Finnish cinema, and it stands as one of the most original and creative horror films of recent years.

Rare Exports: A Christmas Tale is a 2010 fantasy movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 24 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.6 and a MetaScore of 71.