The 2010s ended up being a decade of unoriginality (with comic book stories’ translations to film being the defining point). An odd consequence of that is original films had a tendency to be overrated. “Rare Exports: A Christmas Tale” (2010) has more supporters than detractors, but I’m suspicious it’s because of the original concept of an evil Santa Claus being unearthed in the Arctic region of Finland.
In my opinion, “Rare Exports” doesn’t do nearly enough scary stuff with this premise. Also, even though the Finnish dialog is subtitled in English, the dry humor is lost in translation for me.
You better watch out
Director/co-writer Jalmari Helander ultimately gives us a straightforward story of a boy (Onni Tommila as Pietari) who fears this evil version of Santa Claus. Pietari has a book that details the “true” mythology. Plus, there’s a secret digging project next door, across the Russian border.
“Rare Exports: A Christmas Tale” (2010)
Director: Jalmari Helander
Writers: Jalmari Helander, Juuso Helander, Petri Jokiranta
Stars: Jorma Tommila, Onni Tommila, Peeter Jakobi
Pietari’s reindeer-raising dad (Jorma Tommila as Rauno) doesn’t believe him, but then gradually does after he and other adults seemingly capture the comatose Santa. A twist then slightly re-defines what we’re seeing, and the closing gag is quite clever.
I didn’t find “Rare Exports” as creepy or as gleefully campy as I was supposed to. Its vibe is a like “The Thing,” but that meshes with the snow-globe fantasy look of “The Christmas Chronicles” when CGI snow comes in. The film is shot in snowy Norway, and cinematographer Mika Orasmaa shows this off nicely. Rauno’s house is evocatively isolated, with towering mountains behind it, including the dig site.
You better not pout
I usually get into horror movies that give a background of a creepy mythological figure via old texts, but this is largely because I’m ignorant of religion. I find both the real and made-up religious texts creepy, because I can’t tell the difference. “Evil” is among my favorite TV shows because I believe the show isn’t inventing its evils from whole cloth.
But I know Santa (and his Finnish equivalent Joulupukki) doesn’t really have the dark mythological origins like the film presents. The naughty-or-nice aspect of Santa’s rules is cleverly twisted for the narrative, but in a winking way.
A more serious-minded dig into the origins of Santa could’ve made a stronger case for a dark side – and a creepier film. A quick perusal of Wikipedia shows Santa’s origins are murky enough to lead to decent religious horror, but this film stays on the cheeky side with its adherence to familiar Santa trappings.
I can’t say anything more without spoiling things, but even fans of “Rare Exports” must admit there’s one thing that’s rather shockingly absent from the final act, based on what the film seems to promise.
Never scary, never funny (to me), Helander’s film is admirable for its original premise and technically sound production. Give me a lump of coal if you must, but I say “Rare Exports” is too flat to be a Christmas classic.