There's probably a hundred (short) films out there that get you in the spirit for the holidays, but really funny ones are a rarity. This one is definitely a decent Christmas comedy. It runs for slightly over 7 minutes, which is fine, but also pretty much the limit as the hunting scenes, which went on for a large part of the film really shouldn't have been longer, although the tension and curiosity about what they were hunting for was rising more and more. The over-the-top serious narrator did a pretty good job though and you could feel the funny tone from the way he spoke highly of the prey and praised it as "king of the forest" on one occasion for example.From the moment on where the bearded hunters caught it, it's absolutely hilarious. Interesting idea, convincing execution and definitely worth a watch during the holidays for being a somewhat different Christmas movie. Also there's a follow-up short film and even a feature film about the issue, which may very well be worth watching, but I haven't seen these, so can't say for sure. In any case it's good to see Jalmari Helander, the director gets the chance and will work with Samuel L. Jackson, Jim Broadbent and others on a project of international prestige.

RARE EXPORTS INC is a short and amusing film from Finland written and directed by Jalman Helander . It involves a group of hunters and trackers stealthily creeping through the winter landscape of Finland looking for their prey . Try and imagine a Discovery Channel documentary featuring hunters and you'll be very surprised as to what the hunters find Unfortunately since the whole revolves around the pay off as to who/what the prey is I was rather disappointed that the site I watched RARE EXPORTS INC showed a still of the hunters quarry but this is not the fault of Helander of course , but I feel I should warn everyone if they're going to watch it on youtube the cat is well and truly let out of the bag before the film even loads . That said I still managed to laugh out loud when the hunters were cruel to their captured prize

An elite trio of expert hunters venture into the woods to track and capture an especially rare and dangerous prey for the Christmas season. Said prey turns out to be a feral and savage species of portly old guy human beings who after they are caught are cleaned up and put through a brutal training process in order to be turned into Santa Clauses who are then shipped all over the world. Director/co-writer Jalmari Helander deftly crafts a wonderfully wicked black comedy pip that milks an extremely sick, yet fresh and original premise for maximum queasy belly laughs (the sight of a wild naked old man running through the chilly forest with darts sticking out of his body is both funny and disturbing at the same time). Tommi Korpela, Jorma Tommila, and Tazu Ovaska are completely convincing as the three ace hunters. Otso Tarkela is likewise believable as their crazed prey. Jean Noel Mustonen's sharp cinematography offers a wealth of striking images (the shots of the lush wilderness are particularly breathtaking). Kudos are also in order for the marvelously melodic and majestic music. Best of all, Jonathan Hutching's deep and commanding gravelly voiced narration rates as the yummy cherry on an already deliciously dark and demented cake. A terrifically twisted treat.

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 -- SPOILERThere 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.