Kroamschudd'n in Mariaparochie

This short-animated movie focuses on the question; What if Christ was born in Twente?

The movie is mostly created by Dutch cabaret comedian Herman Finkers, who besides the script also provides most of the voices. Finkers is well known for his very dry humor and way of performing it and visual jokes and a large amount of puns and word jokes. The dry humor, pun and word jokes are also present in this short movie and it provides the movie with some absolutely hilarious moments that are just beyond silly at times. It all is very dry and hilarious serious narrated by Finkers himself.

The animations are from John Croezen. The animations are simple but serve their purpose. Too bad that some of the animations look quite rushed at times.

Most of the events in the movie don't make any sense. A tractor and telephone in the year 0? The movie is filled with small elements like these and it's the silliness and very dry wit that makes this movie so priceless hilarious and original at the same time.

It's really a matter of taste of course but this is the sort of silly humor that I like. Watch it if you want to have some serious laughs and if the alternate story about the birth of Christ doesn't offend you of course.

9/10

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The classic story of Jesus, Mary and Joseph of Nazareth set in the eastern-Dutch region of Twente, and - except for the heavily accented Dutch narration - told in the local variety of the Low Saxon/Low German language.

Kroamskudden is the old Twents practice of visiting and congratulating the family of a new-born child by bringing lots of food, and Mariaparochie (Mary's Parish) is a hamlet just north of Almelo, the hometown of Herman Finkers.

Originally published in 1988, this short animation quickly propelled to fame the rising star (pun intended) of Herman Finkers, a Dutch comedian from the aforementioned region. Within Twente, mostly, of course. The short film reached such cult status that a local TV station has since aired it every Christmas. And thousands still sit down to watch it every year. The witty quotes from the film have become staple expressions within the local language.

Finkers is a language genius, and the exchanges in the animation capture the unique, dry-witted humour of the region perfectly. Though hilarious for those familiar with the language, his clever wordplay and literal interpretation of metaphors are hard to translate.

In Finkers-logic, the Wise Men from the East speak German, for instance, as Twente borders on Germany to the east. And when they ask for directions to find Joseph of David, the farmer they meet only knows Joseph by his local nickname, and refers them to a one-star hotel. An obvious biblical reference, to those familiar with the original story.

The animations are a bit erratic at times, and it is clear that John Croezen is more of an illustrator than an animator, but the visuals still support the jokes quite well, for which Finkers is the sole voice actor.

If you're interested in learning a thing or two about local Twents culture and have a few good laughs (that is, if you understand Dutch and Low Saxon), Kroamskudd'n in Mariaparochie is a must-watch.

While I don't speak the language and had no subtitles, I thoroughly enjoyed this story of the nativity from the Dutch point of view. First of all, the music is so infectious and so captivating that I didnt need visuals. The story is one of Dutch people going about their business as a strange baby is born. it is party time and everyone wants in on the act. The shepherds are wonderful as are all participants. What a great little animated film.