Toronto is winding down, but the deals continue: Oscilloscope Laboratories has just acquired North American rights to “Rare Exports: A Christmas Tale,” a dark comedy about an archaeological dig that unearths an evil Santa Claus in Finland.
The film was not high on anyone’s radar going into TIFF, but Oscilloscope promises it’ll be a cult classic. Said company chief Adam Yauch in a press release, “I'm tempted to say it's like the Coen brothers meets ‘The Grinch Who Stole Christmas,’ but ‘Rare Exports’ is so original in it's feel and approach that I'll refrain from such comparisons and simply say — gas up your snowmobiles, load your shotguns and smoke 'em if you got 'em — 'cause we intend to uncage this sucker in theaters for the holidays."
The film was made by Jalmari Helander, a Finnish-born director whose previous output consists mainly of short films.
Oscilloscope plans a December release. The film will have its U.S. premiere at Fantastic Fest in Austin.
