'Rare Exports: A Christmas Tale' an original twist on Santa

Director: Jalmari Helander

Cast: Omni Tommila. Peter Jacobi, Per Christian Ellefsen

Cert: 16

A seasonal romp that is not, repeat NOT, for the kiddies … though on second thoughts don’t the little darlings just adore a hair-raising horror?

And this horror – decidedly for those humbugs who don’t like Christmas – certainly delivers a dark, dryly witty and highly original twist on how we view Santa.

Here, he’s not the jolly fat guy with the fluffy beard and red tunic but a horned monster who with his ghastly gang of elves loves tormenting – spanking and eating! – the kiddies who have been naughty.

This Santa certainly does naughty.

This Santa is discovered buried in a remote Finish mountain and doesn’t like being disturbed

And when a boy (Tommila) and his dad set out to capture the old boy, with the grizzled old elves, much into full frontal frolicking, out to rescue him we have a film the likes of which you will never have seen before.

Star Rating: 4/5