Rare Exports (2010)

In the depths of the Korvatunturi mountains, 486 meters 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.

Director:

Jalmari Helander

Writers:

Jalmari Helander, Jalmari Helander (based on the original idea by) (as The Helander Brothers)

Stars:

Jorma Tommila, Onni Tommila, Peeter Jakobi

12 wins & 2 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Onni Tommila	...	Pietari Kontio
Jorma Tommila	...	Rauno Kontio
Tommi Korpela	...	Aimo
Rauno Juvonen	...	Piiparinen
Per Christian Ellefsen	...	Riley
Ilmari Järvenpää	...	Juuso
Peeter Jakobi	...	Pietari's Elf
Jonathan Hutchings	...	Brian Greene
Risto Salmi	...	Sheriff
Jens Sivertsen	...	Main Elf
Sigmund Bøe	...	Main Elf
Olav Pedersen	...	Main Elf
Nils M. Iselvmo	...	Main Elf
Steinar Skogstad	...	Elf
Nils Nymo	...	Elf

Storyline

On Christmas Eve in Finland, Santa Claus is unearthed in an archaeological dig. Soon after, children start disappearing, leading a boy and his father to capture Santa and, with the help of fellow hunters, they look to sell him back to the corporation that sponsored the dig. And then there's Santa's elves, who are determined to free their leader...

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Plot Keywords:

krampus | christmas horror | double barreled shotgun | dark comedy | advent calendar | 

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Taglines:

Be ready to believe in Santa again.

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Genres:

Adventure | Fantasy | Horror

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for some nudity and language

Did You Know?

Trivia

Brian Greene's passport number is 314159265, the first several digits of pi.

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Goofs

Even though Korvatunturi and the area in which the movie takes place are well within the Arctic Circle, there is still daylight during Christmas. At that latitude the sun sets weeks before Christmas and doesn't rise again until after New Year. However, although the sun does not rise above the horizon during this time, there is still some daylight. It is not pitch black all day and night.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Brian Greene: This is what's been worrying me. Drilling sample number 76, from 1300 foot. See, we've finally found something else than just plain rocks and dirt.

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Connections

Featured in Troldspejlet: Troldspejlet julespecial (2013)

User Reviews

Absolutely loved it

This is a great movie. It would have been impossible for Hollywood to have made this movie. They would have needed a huge special effects budget, and the continuity people would never have allowed it through. They would have played it as a goofy comedy. Thankfully it was made in Finland. If the Americans decide to do a remake, make sure you see the original first.

As it is, it is thoroughly clever, and wonderfully naively charming. The director had an idea, and chose an optimum path to realise that idea - a very tricky feat.

I'm from Australia, but I couldn't help wondering if Finnish people and New Zealanders are similar.

BTW, count the women who appear in the movie.

Details

Official Sites:

Official site

Country:

Finland Norway France Sweden

Language:

Finnish English

Release Date:

3 December 2010 (Finland)

Also Known As:

Rare Exports: A Christmas Tale

Filming Locations:

Tromsø, Norway

Box Office

Budget:

EUR1,948,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$9,281, 5 December 2010

Gross USA:

$236,347

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$4,087,363

Company Credits

Production Co:

Cinet, Pomor Film, Love Streams Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

84 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1