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Chicago – There’s a beautiful irony in the clever comedy/fantasy/thriller “Rare Exports” in that the majority of the action of the piece is begun by kids acting naughty. Remember who knows when you’re naughty? Why, Santa knows, of course. This wonderfully unique Christmas tale reimagines the legend of Santa Claus as a decrepit, immortal killing machine, one that has been buried for years and only recently unearthed and happened upon by some unlucky hunters.

Blu-Ray Rating: 4.0/5.0

“Rare Exports” began life from a pair of short films (both of which are included on yet-another stellar Oscilloscope Blu-ray release…this company is second only to Criterion in terms of worthwhile bonus material and memorable packaging) and, while I admire the final product enough to recommend a viewing, the film’s origins are clear. Even at 82 minutes, it feels a bit long as there’s not quite enough material here to support a feature-length film.

Chicago – “What you are about to see now may traumatize you for life.” So reads a warning near the beginning of Finnish filmmaker Jalmari Helander’s 2005 short, “Rare Exports: The Official Safety Instructions.” The film was a clever follow-up to his 2003 effort, “Rare Exports Inc.”, which seemed to milk its one-joke premise for all it was worth.

Rating: 3.0/5.0

The “exports” of Helander’s films are in the form of bloodthirsty Father Christmases hunted and tamed by reindeer herders near Korvatunturi mountain, which the film bills as the “land of the original Santa Claus.” Who are these gray-haired, unclothed, rawly animalistic creatures? Why are they filled with such fearsome rage when a nearby mortal mildly misbehaves? In the side-splitting yet genuinely eerie “Safety Instructions,” these alleged “Father Christmases” seemed to be little more than elderly zombies.

Read Matt Fagerholm’s full review of “Rare Exports: A Christmas Tale” in our reviews section.

Title: Rare Exports: A Christmas Tale Director: Jalmari Helander Starring: Per Christian Ellefsen, Peter Jakobi, Tommi Korpela, Jorma Tommila, Jonathan Hutchings, Onni Tommila, Risto Salmi, Rauno Juvonen, Ilmari Jarvenpaa There’s nothing like a good tease every now and then. Rare Exports: A Christmas Tale is an 80 minute version of strip club teasing. Although one always want more, the majority of club patrons usually leave satisfied. This is the feeling when one will have after seeing this dark, humorous take on Santa and his elves. Having said that, even though the above gentlemen’s club reference rings true, there is the other aspect or reaction of being teased…Frustration. Since the trailer hasn’t [...]...

Finnish flick 'Rare Exports: A Christmas Tale' arrives in theatres both here in the UK and stateside this Friday and it's certainly been ramped up in the marketing stakes this seasonal period with screenings, trailers and even a caged Santa appearing in carnaby Street in London last week. So with an 'expected' semi-success already on the cards for Jalmari Helander's new dark fantasy flick studio fat cats across the pond are already eyeing up a potential remake! The director himself confirmed 'There's lot of conversation about the remake right now.' says Helander. 'We're seeing what's happening. It would be interesting to see an American, more mainstream version [of Rare Exports]'. - Not entirely sure that's true, and not entrely certain it's necessary whatsoever. Per Christian Ellefsen, Peeter Jakobi, Tommi Korpela, Jorma Tommila, Jonathan Hutchings and Onni Tommila all star....

Why is Santa a bit peeved in Jalmari Helander’s “Rare Exports”? Um, hanging him from the ceiling will just about tick anyone off, apparently. Check out a clip from the imported horror flick “Rare Exports”. You can read our review of the movie here. On the eve of Christmas in northern Finland, an archeological dig unearths Santa Claus. This particular Santa, however, isn’t the one you want coming to town. When most of the town’s children go missing, Pietari and his father, a local hunter named Rauno, come into possession of the mythological being. Rauno’s clan of hunters attempt to cash in on the opportunity by selling Santa back to the misguided leader of the multinational corporation sponsoring the dig. What ensues is nothing short of a wildly humorous nightmare — a fantastically bizzare polemic on modern day morality. Starring Per Christian Ellefsen, Peeter Jakobi, Tommi Korpela,...

Icon Film, via Bloody-Disgusting, have released a brand new red band trailer for Rare Exports: A Christmas Tale.

Rare Exports: A Christmas Tale has picked up a fair bit of momentum after winning Best Film and Best Director awards at the Sitges Film Festival, as well as making the selection at the London and Toronto Film Festivals.

Directed by Jalmari Helander, Rare Exports: A Christmas Tale will be released in the UK on December 3 and stars Tommi Korpela, Per Christian Ellefsen, Jorma Tommila and Jonathan Hutchings.

In the depths of Lapland’s Korvatunturi Mountains, 486 metres deep, lies the closest guarded secret of Christmas. The time has come to dig it up.

You better watch out, you better not cry, better not shout, I’m telling you why… Based on the award winning shorts of director Jalmari Helander that have already acquired a cult reputation in the internet,...

Yesterday we showed you the new international trailer for Rare Exports: A Christmas Tale and today, Icon have given us this brand new UK poster to share with the world. Rare Exports: A Christmas Tale which is released in UK cinemas 3rd December. The movie won best film and Best Director at the Sitges Film Festival as well as making the selection at the London Film Festival and Toronto Film Festival. It’s directed by Jalmari Helander and stars Tommi Korpela, Per Christian Ellefsen, Jorma Tommila and Jonathan Hutchings.

Synopsis: In the depths of Lapland’s Korvatunturi Mountains, 486 metres deep, lies the closest guarded secret of Christmas. The time has come to dig it up.

You better watch out, you better not cry, better not shout, I’m telling you why… Based on the award winning shorts of director Jalmari Helander that have already acquired a cult reputation in the Internet,...

Icon have just sent us this brand new trailer for their new movie, Rare Exports: A Christmas Tale which is released in cinemas 3rd December. The movie won best film and Best Director at the Sitges Film Festival as well as making the selection at the London Film Festival and Toronto Film Festival.

Rare Exports: A Christmas Tale is directed by Jalmari Helander and stars Tommi Korpela, Per Christian Ellefsen, Jorma Tommila and Jonathan Hutchings.

Synospis: In the depths of Lapland’s Korvatunturi Mountains, 486 metres deep, lies the closest guarded secret of Christmas. The time has come to dig it up.

You better watch out, you better not cry, better not shout, I’m telling you why… Based on the award winning shorts of director Jalmari Helander that have already acquired a cult reputation in the internet, Santa Claus is coming to town in a never-before-seen Christmas fantasy thriller for all ages.

ComingSoon.net's ShockTillYouDrop.com has your exclusive first look at the poster for Rare Exports: A Christmas Tale , opening in theaters on December 3. Written and directed by Jalmari Helander, the film stars Tommi Korpela, Per Christian Ellefsen, Jorma Tommila, Jonathan Hutchings, Onni Tommila, Peeter Jakobi, Ilmari Jarvenpaa and Rauno Juvonen. You can check out the poster and learn more about the film here !

Rare Exports Concept PosterRare Exports: A Christmas Tale is a film from Finland, which puts a dark note on the most notable of Christian holidays. Santa is kidnapped and the locals will need to find a way to free him from an overzealous developer. This picture shows at this year's Toronto International Film Festival beginning September 14th and there are more details inside including a teaser trailer.

The film's tagline:

"This Christmas everyone will believe in Santa Claus" (Rare).

The synopsis for Rare Exports here:

"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!" (Rare).

Release Date: September 14th (Limited Run).

Director/writer: Jalmari Helander.

Cast: Onni Tommila, Jorma Tommila, Per Christian Ellefsen, Tommi Korpela, Rauno Juvonen, Ilmari Järvenpää, Peeter Jakobi, Jonathan Hutchings, Risto Salmi

One of two teaser trailers available for the film:...

An hour-long documentary special will be dedicated to Heath Ledger. Cable channel Ovation TV has acquired the rights to air "Heath Ledger: A Tribute" from Australian production company World Wide Entertainment and will air it in U.S. this August.

"Throughout his short career, Heath Ledger seemed a star destined to burn brightly and leave a lasting mark," said Kris Slava, senior VP programming for Ovation TV. "This documentary is a warm, honest portrayal of the actor and the man, and features footage that has never been seen in America. We are pleased to be able to include it our week-long tribute to the talented stars we lost too soon."

The documentary is part of Ovation TV's week-long programming event "Live Fast, Die Young" which includes the biographies of stars such as Janis Joplin, Jimi Hendrix, Marilyn Monroe, James Dean, and Jim Belushi. "Ovation TV is renowned for their...