This post is a part of an ongoing project in which I watch one movie from a different country every other week.
PLOT (From IMDB): In the depths of the Korvatunturi mountains, 486 metres deep, lies the closest ever guarded secret of Christmas. The time has come to dig it up! This Christmas everyone will believe in Santa Claus.
MEMORABLE MOMENT: The movie’s young hero, PIetari (Onni Tommila) and a group of men from his village find what appears to be a psychotic version of Santa Claus, and they chain him up in a slaughter house as if he’s Hannibal Lecter.
If you’ve seen any horror movie ever you know psycho Santa doesn’t stay confined for long.
WHO IS THIS MOVIE FOR?: Rare Exports is like Jurassic Park but instead of dinosaurs they have a demonic Santa and all his evil elves.
For the most part, the type of filmgoer who likes bad straight to DVD horror movies should check this flick out. That’s not to say that Rare Exports is necessarily bad. There are several scenes that are well written and acted and even thrilling (although if you’re looking for a nuanced examination of the human condition check out my last entry in this series, STALKER). What I’m saying is the type of filmgoer who enjoys horror movies that are ridiculous and know they’re ridiculous and take joy in just how ridiculous they are will probably love this film about a small European town defending itself from the “true” Santa.
That being said, Rare Exports isn’t as much a comedy as you might expect. It would be borderline impossible to make a movie with this plot as a straight horror drama but the film takes itself surprisingly seriously. I went in expecting a Shaun of the Dead style comedy and was way off. While there are funny moments, the filmmakers are definitely making a straight horror film that just happens to have a ludicrous plot. In many ways, this is a much more challenging and impressive feat.
WHERE CAN YOU FIND IT?: Rare Exports is available through Netflix DVD. You can also rent the move from Amazon for $4.99 or buy it for $12.99.
RUNTIME: 84 Minutes
DIRECTOR: Jalmari Helander
WRITER: Jalmari Helander
STARING: Onni Tommil
