Rare Exports Inc.

An elite trio of expert hunters venture into the woods to track and capture an especially rare and dangerous prey for the Christmas season.

Having seen the full-length "Rare Exports" first, the twist is not quite as much of a surprise as it could be for those completely unfamiliar with the brand. Maybe this took something away from it, maybe not... it was still very enjoyable.

The way the subject matter is approached differently, more like a nature program than a horror film, is just brilliant and gives a completely different (but not any better or worse) feel to the subject matter. Standing on its own, it certainly answers some perennial questions about Christmas!

Rare Exports, Inc. (2003)

*** (out of 4)

Short film that takes a look at a rare group of hunters in Finland who hunt one of the most deadly and rarest games in the world. The targets are elderly men who stalk the wild who the hunters eventually capture, train and release throughout the world as the creature known as Santa Claus. It seems this short was pretty much overlooked when it was originally released but it picked up steam and led to a semi-sequel as well as a feature-length film in 2010. There's no denying that this is an extremely well-made film and those who like their movies with a touch of surrealism will certainly want to check this out. What I loved most is how the movie really plays out like an introduction to a real comedy and I must admit that the narration was masterful in its serious tone and it really sets a wonderful mood for the picture. The scenes of the old man being hunted were extremely well edited and the scenes where they finally break him down were just so wrong yet at the same time so funny. Seeing Father Christmas hunted, beaten and eventually broken is something I'm sure many would be offended by but the film is just so well made that you can't help but laugh. I've always felt lines were meant to be cross and this one crosses it and makes up a few new ones along the way. The hype of the film has reached an all-time high and it lives up to it.

This movie has been doing the rounds on the internet for the last couple of years in quicktime format, many people not realising that it is a serious (or otherwise) short movie. With around a minute and a half of credits, the length proper of this is only 6 minutes.

This movie is about hunting, so keep the little ones out of view and earshot while watching it. It is an absolute masterpiece, so if you have broadband, do a search now and have a watch of it. If you decide to, then read no further, because:

SPOILER -- SPOILER -- SPOILER -- SPOILER -- SPOILER -- SPOILER

There is a lead-up and reveal about halfway through. The start shows preparations for a hunt, but the prey is unknown until the first shot is fired, and we see a sedative dart in... A FATHER Christmas! They are the most precious free-roaming beast in the whole of the Northern wilderness we are told, but they are very dangerous.

Get a copy now and see how a wild Father Christmas is tamed and prepared for export.

While this is a very entertaining and humorous short film, it is also worth mentioning that it is a ad for Woodpecker Film showing their flair, know-how and expertise. This company has produced a lot of advertisements, some music videos and a like. Some of the ads are for Finnish military, drinks and food stuffs.

Watch some of them at Woodpeckerfilm.fi

The movie it self is a work of genius, using Finnish landscape and popular beliefs, so to speak, as the source for the mid-movie surprise. The narrator is very convincing with the low movie trailer type voice and makes for a funny emphasis.

Meet a set of hunters. The best in their trade. As they learned from their fathers and their fathers before them, they track down and domesticate a very special prey.

This is a film with a nice twist. The story is good, but at times it is a bit slow. Well written with good narration, but not 100%. The build up is a bit too long I think, but then again the pay-off is good.

As for acting it's good. The narrator does a great job and the three leads and Father Christmas fits their roles perfectly and deliver a good performance.

The cinematography struck me as really nice. Very nice composed and well chosen shots. It's all very delicious to look at. Hat's off to Jean Noel Mustonen. Also I might mention the sets and costumes witch are really nice. They look good and create a really nice setting.

All in all a funny and well made short. I'd not give it a full 10, but it's a good 7, no doubt.