Friday 3rd December sees the UK release of an alternative festive feature, Rare Exports: A Christmas Tale. With the predictable onslaught of sugar sweet seasonal cinema, this Finnish production has more Predator about it than Jingle All The Way. Rare Exports promises a very different portrayal of the traditional jolly Santa Clause. The brainchild of Finnish brothers Jalmari and Juuso Helander, this unlikely cinema baddy’s roots go deeper than director Jalmari’s debut feature.
This concept dates back to 2003. Whilst working for a commercial production company, Jalmari was given the task of creating a Christmas gift for his company’s clients. With the help of his brother, he came up with an idea for Rare Exports. The company loved it, but with an estimated price of 3,000 Euros to create, it seemed an unlikely prospect. After a number of phone calls, and calling in a few favours, Helander set out to create two short films that would become an internet sensation.
Rare Exports Inc (2003)
Given a production time limit of two days, Helander shot this eight-minute short in just one-and-a half days. In the impressive snow covered wilderness of Lapland, three master hunters go in search of the ultimate prey; the tracker, sniper and rifleman all possess the most honed of skills. Their target: Father Christmas’! Reportedly, one of the deadliest man killers alive, even after being tranquilised, they can cover huge distances and have the capacity to tear apart a bear. Once caught, these hunters transform the snarling beasts into red faced jolly Santas, who are then distributed worldwide.
The comedy of this short is so striking due to it keeping a straight face throughout. Shot in glossy documentary style with Attenborough style narration, the initial shock of seeing a chubby bearded man on the end of the hunter’s shot is both brilliantly built up to and unexpected. Although, for many, the cat is now out of the bag, the boldness of the idea shines through. This is supported with fantastic direction of a breathtaking backdrop that contrasts the silliness of the concept to great effect. The twisted images of a snarling, grubby and very naked St. Nick are both twisted and tongue-in-cheek hilarious.
Rare Exports: Official Safety Instructions (2005)
Released on the internet nearly three years after the success of its predecessor, the next Rare Exports short serves as the perfect companion. By this point, the original had become a cult hit with millions of views on YouTube and other sites - the imaginary company’s logo was widely recognised and demand was high for more, ensuring less of a struggle to secure funding.
This short, ten minutes long, serves as a list of instructions/warnings as to the dangers of mistreating your Santa. Like a modern day Gremlins, it sets out a list of rules for a creature that is more interested in punishing the naughty than rewarding the nice. Santas hate loud noises, alcoholic drinks, smoking and, of course, people not behaving. We are shown the bloody consequences of neglecting these strict boundaries.
This sequel piece brilliantly continues the deadpan tone of the original. Jonathan Hutchings’ narration is supported by a well calculated stern script. We imagine Hutchings’ struggle to keep a straight face with lines like, “the strong aroma of fresh gingerbread biscuits may prolong the attack...,” read with perfect documentary monotone. The black comedy here comes with a little more gore and horror; this adds to the menace of the piece but also builds on the story’s huge range of possibilities. Helander continues to play with the traditions of Christmas with the utmost imagination...
It has taken five years for this internet phenomenon to make it onto the big screen. The production has been taken on board by Cinet, Davaj Films and Agnes B. Productions and is staying very true to its roots. Halander has realised the potentially disastrous transformation of short film to feature film, and seems set to reproduce all of the short’s winning formula. He has kept the same rustic looking cast of woodsmen, with Tommi Korpela, Jorma Tommila and Tazu Ovaska all returning to their roles as the hunters.
The story goes back to before Rare Exports Inc exists, American researchers dig up the dormant creatures which are buried deep in the Korvatunturi Mountains. The most exciting prospect of the film is Halander’s dedication to put it across in the style of his artistic influences. Helander is a lover of ‘80s comedy horror such as The Goonies, The Lost Boys and Gremlins, and the film’s discoveries centre around its main character, a kid. This promises all the adventure and fun of an era in horror whose presence has been sorely missed.
Rare Exports: A Christmas Tale promises to be a real event this Christmas. With a rich heritage, bolder than bold ideas, and a completely new take on festive cinema, this is one to get excited about. With a concept that could otherwise fall folly to spoof or slapstick, it would seem, in Helander’s hands, this cannot fail to make an impact. LW
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