On Christmas holidays, you often just want to stay at home and enjoy the wonderful atmosphere of a winter fairy tale. It is at such times that cinema comes to the rescue, and it is for such an occasion that we have made this unusual New Year’s selection for you. There will be no classic options here, such as Home Alone or Harry Potter, because everyone knows and loves them.
We’ve picked less obvious options for those who want to try something new. There are pictures from all over the world, full and short films, black and white films and traditional cartoons, musicals and anime. Everyone will be able to choose something to their taste.
The Shop Around the Corner (1940)
Hungarian director Ernst Lubitsch opens not only this selection, but also the whole tradition of good Christmas films. It was he who first combined the genre of romantic comedy, festive scenery and the obligatory happy ending, which became a formula for success for a decade to come. By the way, online casino south africa also use this principle. Slots with non-standard plots contain more bonuses and are characterized by high volatility. Well, now let’s move on to the film.
This is a chamber story about a man and a woman who work in a small shop and do not get along with each other. Thanks to newspaper adverts they simultaneously enter into romantic correspondence with unknown partners and hope to spend Christmas evening with them, but an interesting surprise awaits them.
Miracle on 34th Street (1994)
A remake of the classic 1947 Christmas film, written and produced by the legendary John Hughes – the author of such films as “Home Alone”, “Beethoven”, “Curly Sue” and other hits for the whole family. This is a very warm film, imbued with the spirit of Christmas miracle. Mum has long ago told little Susan that Santa Claus doesn’t exist and doesn’t even see the point of making her real wishes. But a miracle happens when the Santa she meets in one of the shopping centers turns out to be real.
8 Women (2001)
A Christmas-style detective musical from one of France’s most talented directors – François Ozon and a brilliant cast. A large family gathers for Christmas at a country house, but instead of presents they find the body of the only man in the family. A powerful snowfall has covered all the entrances and exits, which means the killer is still inside, and now it’s up to eight charismatic women to determine who exactly committed this horrific crime.
Klaus (2019)
An Oscar-nominated traditional 2D drawn animation from a Spanish director. It came out on Netflix a few years ago, but has become a new Christmas classic. The film will tell one version of the origin of Santa Claus and all the myths surrounding him. The main character is a teenager Jasper, who is sent by his father to work as a postman in a small town in the very north for educational purposes. There the boy meets a young teacher Alva and a mysterious hermit Klaus, who likes to make wooden toys.
Real Love (2003)
Another film that started a certain trend in the Christmas genre. The plot consists of a dozen small novellas, which are skilfully intertwined with each other. There are a lot of colorful characters, touching stories, atmospheric songs and Christmas romance. It is impossible not to mention the stellar cast of outstanding British actors.
Dream Keepers (2012)
A festive animated film from Dreamworks studio, which gave us “Shrek”, “Kung Fu Panda”, “Madagascar” and a huge number of other wonderful cartoons. It’s a very sweet tale that reminds us that it’s important to believe in goodness, even in dark times. In the story, Santa Claus, the Easter Bunny, the Tooth Fairy, the Sandman and Jack Frost, who for some reason people don’t believe in, must join forces against the Nightmare King, who seeks to destroy the holidays and deprive people of all joy.
The Disciples (2022)
A chamber, fragile, warm and incredibly sensual short film from Alice Rohrwacher, one of the most distinctive contemporary Italian directors. The film was presented at Cannes and received an Oscar nomination. Against the backdrop of World War II, we see a small Catholic boarding school for girls. Serafina and other pupils prepare a Christmas creche, during which the townspeople bring their modest gifts to the convent. One very imposing woman has prepared a huge cake, which looks too luxurious in such difficult times. But who will get it?
Once Upon a Time in Tokyo (2003)
Now let’s go to Japan and turn to one very extraordinary and talented author – Satose Kon, whose works are characterised by dramatic depth. But here it successfully alternates with the atmosphere of kindness, care and Christmas miracle. On Christmas Day, three homeless Tokyo people (an alcoholic, a trans man and an underage girl) find a baby in a rubbish dump. Instead of passing it by or simply reporting it to the police, they start caring for the child and take it upon themselves to find the parents and find out why they did what they did.
