Rare triumphs at Sitges

by A.P.

18/10/2010 - Jalmari Helander’s Finnish genre film Rare Exports: A Christmas Tale [trailer, film focus] swept up at the 43rd Sitges International Film Festival in Spain, winning Best Film, Best Director, Best Cinematography (Mika Orasmaa) and a Special Mention-Silver Meliès.

This innovative version of the Father Christmas tale is proving to be a festival hit since its world premiere at Locarno, where it scooped the Variety Piazza Grande Award. It then travelled to Toronto and is currently screening as a Film on the Square Special Presentation at the BFI London Film Festival.

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Helander’s feature-length version of his cult shorts Rare Exports Inc and Rare Exports Inc. Safety Instructions was produced by Finland’s Cinet Film in co-production with Sweden’s Davaj Film, Norway's Pomor Film and France's Love Streams Agnès B. Productions.

Paris-based Kinology is handling world sales. The domestic release is set for December 3, 2010 through FS Film.