Directed by: Juha Wuolijoki Script: Marko Leino Producer: Juha Wuolijoki Production company: Snapper Films Oy Cinematography: Mika Orasmaa Editing: Harri Ylönen Music: Leri Leskinen Cast: Hannu-Pekka Björkman, Kari Väänänen, Otto Gustavsson, Mikko Leppilampi, Minna Haapkylä, Mikko Kouki, Laura Birn, Antti Tuisku
Format: boja, color, 35mm Running time: 80'
Synopsis In a remote village in Lapland, young Nikolas loses his family in an accident. The villagers decide to look after the orphaned boy together. Each family will take care of Nikolas for one year. At the end of each year, on Christmas Day, Nikolas has to move to a new home. To show his gratitude to the villagers, Nikolas decides to make toys for the children of the families as good-bye presents. Over the years, Nikolas´s former adoptive families become many, and soon almost every house has presents on its doorstep on Christmas morning. When the village suffers a food shortage, the villagers have to send Nikolas to work as an apprentice for the hermit carpenter, Iisakki. Under the cruel tutelage of Iisakki, Nikolas develops skills that enable him to create even better presents and to work even faster. The child-hating Iisakki, however, forbids Nikolas from making presents. The Christmas present tradition is in danger of coming to an end.
Awards 2008 Jussi Awards - Best Cinematography
2008 Sarasota Film Festival - Audience Award, Best in World Cinema
Directors Biography Juha Wuolijoki's (born 1969) previous film Gourmet Club (2004) received international acclaim at several festivals. Christmas Story is Juha's first family film.
Location and screening schedule: EUROPA cinema, Monday, October 20th at 13.00
