bob the moo The company Rare Exports Inc. provide a valuable service to the world; with small teams made up of the finest hunters in the world, the company captures, trains, and ships a most deadly prey to countries across the world.Unfortunately I knew the joke in this short film before watching it, so I did not get the benefit of the surprise along the way – which is why this is tagged as containing a spoiler, even though some here seem to think that such a key thing is not worthy of such warming. Anyway, the short film plays like a piece of corporate promotional material, with an earnest voice-over telling us about the craft and risks taken by the hunting team, and the work they do. The twist comes when we see the prey is a wild Father Christmas – one of many being hunted, captured and then prepared to be shipped around the world as originals in time for the Christmas market. As an idea it is a clever one and amused me just by its silliness and yet how sincerely it is presented.The idea of domesticating a wild animal for the sake of a commercial holiday is also one that is slightly barbed, and the slightly serious tone of the mock-advert does also help keep the viewer in this mindset – so although it is funny, it is not overly played for laughs, instead it does give you space to think about the idea that we actually do heavily commercialize nature – albeit not quite in the same way, but for sure there is an element of satire in here that it is not a huge leap to know that we would do this if it were real.The dry and serious approach is very well done, and it fits the tone and style of corporate pieces well – not sure if Helander has his background in these, but he has a good eye for them anyway. Best viewed with the surprise as a novelty, it is an amusing and quite funny little short, which also works as a satire on the nature of commercialization, and of the commercialization of nature.

Michael_Elliott Rare Exports, Inc. (2003)*** (out of 4)Short film that takes a look at a rare group of hunters in Finland who hunt one of the most deadly and rarest games in the world. The targets are elderly men who stalk the wild who the hunters eventually capture, train and release throughout the world as the creature known as Santa Claus. It seems this short was pretty much overlooked when it was originally released but it picked up steam and led to a semi-sequel as well as a feature-length film in 2010. There's no denying that this is an extremely well-made film and those who like their movies with a touch of surrealism will certainly want to check this out. What I loved most is how the movie really plays out like an introduction to a real comedy and I must admit that the narration was masterful in its serious tone and it really sets a wonderful mood for the picture. The scenes of the old man being hunted were extremely well edited and the scenes where they finally break him down were just so wrong yet at the same time so funny. Seeing Father Christmas hunted, beaten and eventually broken is something I'm sure many would be offended by but the film is just so well made that you can't help but laugh. I've always felt lines were meant to be cross and this one crosses it and makes up a few new ones along the way. The hype of the film has reached an all-time high and it lives up to it.

MartinHafer This short film has a very sick sense of humor and while I was a bit horrified but it, I also have to admit that it was very well made. However, I certainly DON'T recommend you allow younger viewers to see this film--for rather obvious reasons.The film was made in Scandinavia and features the most amazingly appropriate narration in English--the voice and style was great as was the script. As the narrator talks, you see several hunters stalking their prey--though for a long time in the film you have no idea what it is. Later, when they finally open fire, you see they are shooting at a naked "feral" Santa using tranquilizer guns. Apparently, according to this film, the Santas you see at shopping malls are actually bagged in the wild and subjected to excruciating "conditioning" (i.e, torture) to make them jolly and child-friendly! The whole thing is one long sick joke. Many will find it funny but many will also be horrified at seeing the naked Father Christmas being shot at, slapped around and beaten. Sick...but just the sort of film for grinches who dislike the holidays.By the way, this short was followed by yet another short and, finally, a full-length film called "Rare Exports: A Christmas Tale". All three films can be seen on the disc for the full-length movie.

Peter Pakulski 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.