Christmas is coming a little early to Tallinn this year, as the Black Nights Film Festival kicked off its 2010 edition last evening with a contemporary Christmas tale. RARE EXPORTS: A CHRISTMAS TALE is the feature debut of Jalmari Helander, a Finnish director who has enjoyed a successful career as an award-winning director of television commercials. He has also made a series of award-winning short films in the run-up to doing his first feature, including the well received “Iceman” (1999), “Maximillian Tarzan” (1999), “Ukkonen” (2001), “Rare Exports Inc.” (2003), “Rare Exports Inc. Safety Instructions” (2005) and “The Fakir” (2006). The choice of the film and its director is a homage to this year’s designated “country focus” of Finland, which will have an abundant representation in the Festival program.  

RARE EXPORTS is a whimsical tale about Finland’s best-known, most timeless and successful export article. No, not rubber boots, a mobile phone, or ski jumpers, and certainly not climate. The answer, naturally, is a gentleman with red coat and white beard from far off in the north. But what do we actually know about him? This film finally lets the truth in. And the truth is not what you would expect. In this tall tale, old St. Nick himself – as played by Rakvere Theatre actor Peeter Jakob, is kidnapped by some stout-hearted northern Finnish men who have locked him in a cage so he can’t cause any more trouble. It also means that children around the globe may not get their presents on Christmas morning, which is as much an international crisis as one could ever imagine. 

A dark comedy with a heart of gold, RARE EXPORTS blends classic fairy tales with the juicier part of pop culture and is a sure-fire heart melter for anyone who wants the whole truth about the older guy the world calls Santa Claus. Thus begins a marathon of film premieres, special events, chic parties and this year’s hosting of the European Film Awards on 4 December. For all the excitement, check out the Festival’s website: www.poff.ee. For more on the film itself, visit: http://www.rareexportsmovie.com/en

Sandy Mandelberger, POFF Dailies Editor