Lapland, Finland: home of the Korvatunturi mountain range, beautiful landscapes, and...Santa Claus? On an archeological dig, what is believed to be an ancient graveyard is discovered, dug up, and destroyed, aggravating the residents of the once peaceful cemetery. One of those residents is believed to be the renowned Santa Claus, but he’s not the jolly, fat man that everyone had hoped for. This demented version of Saint Nicholas begins terrorizing the locals, forcing them to fight back. In the end someone must be victorious and claim Christmas as their own. Who will it be, the Finnish locals or the dreaded Santa Claus?
The term Rare Exports, in many ways is a major spoiler to the film, but has very little bearing on the overall story. This small factoid actually helps the film a bit, as it doesn’t allow viewers to look ahead or make assumptions, ultimately forcing them to take things as they come and enjoy the content in front of them. It takes time for the story to build and the characters to develop, and due to the fact that the name doesn’t explain much, viewers feel conflicted early on with whether or not to continue. There is nothing really keeping viewers in place other than a hope that things get better. And, while things do eventually get better, it’s hard to say that everything is worth the wait.
While characters eventually develop to a degree, there’s something quite boring about the roles in Rare Exports. Sure, there is a language barrier that separates the characters from the viewers (as they speak mostly Finnish), but it’s not even that barrier that sees viewers struggling to appreciate the people on screen. With the exception of Pietari (Onni Tommila), everyone seems to state each word as a matter of fact. Scared, angry, and excited alike, Jorma Tommila (Rauno), Tommi Korpela (Aimo), and Rauno Juvonen (Piiparinen) fail to alter their emotions throughout the film and leave viewers to experience the same, unnecessary intensity from beginning to end. Ommi, however, is an interesting looking individual, and, as mean as that sounds, this sort of allows him the ability to fit his role wonderfully. He, like the others in the film, is intense throughout, but his uniquely proportioned face allows him to appear innocent and fearful throughout as well. Viewers do feel attached to him and continue to root for him from the moment he steps on screen. Ommi is, in many ways, Rare Exports’ saving grace. While nearly every aspect of the film is meant to feel intense, Ommi provides a different, more subtle texture that gives viewers something to appreciate.
The story is certainly unique and, once viewers understand what is occurring, they are quick to get on board with the demented twist on the classic story of Old Saint Nick. From the opening moments, viewers are, as a result of the music, able to understand that Rare Exports is not for the lighthearted. There is something ominous and abnormal about what is sure to happen throughout, and viewers understand quickly that Christmas cheer will soon be overrun by horror and pain.
Aspects of the story and Onni’s acting are what keep Rare Exports afloat. As the story unfolds viewers struggle to appreciate what any of the actors, with the exception of Onni, bring to the table. As he helps bring the incredibly unhinged story of Santa to life, viewers begin to rely almost entirely on this young boy to provide context and emotion. Fortunately for Rare Exports, and everyone involved, he succeeds in his attempts to entertain audiences and guide the film. While Rare Exports fails to provide a true balance of horror and holiday cheer, aspects of the film allow it to entertain, even if only to a very minor degree.
Directed by Jalmari Helander. Written by Jalmari Helander, Juuso Helander, Petri Jokiranta & Sami Parkkinen. Starring Onni Tommila, Jorma Tommila, Tommi Korpela, Rauno Juvonen, Per Christian Ellefsen, etc.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/10
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