THE CHRISTMAS SHORT FILMS
These are four of the best Christmas short films ever made. You don't have to believe in Christ or Santa Claus to enjoy Christmas or these great films.
Argentine Tangos by Guy Thys (2006) (Belgium) (14m)
Arguably the best Christmas short film yet made, Argentine Tangos (Tanghi Argentini), was nominated for a Best Short Film Oscar in 2008. In Argentine Tangos, a beautiful comedy drama full of Christmas spirit, we follow a middle-aged office-worker trying to fulflil his Christmas passion and conceal a snowy-white lie. I promise you will thank me for showing it to you. It is in Dutch with English subtitles.
The Naughty List by Paul Campion (2016) (USA) (9m)
A competition finalist, The Naughty List reminds us that Santa Claus will visit all the world's children on Christmas Eve, even if the child in question - Vince - is an adult mobster hiding out with his partner-in-crime in a secluded cabin. The problem is that Vince's partner does not believe in Santa Claus and, fearing the stranger could be a hitman, is tempted to put a slug in him. For his part, Santa Claus is no saint, but how will this unusual situation end, and will the rest of the world's children get their presents tonight?
Alma by Rodrigo Blaas (2009) (USA/Spain) (6m) *
Written and directed by Rodrigo Blaas, a Spanish animator who has worked on Pixar features such as Wall-E and Up, Alma is something close to an animation horror! Alma is an angelic little girl who is writing her name on a wall when she spies a doll in a shop window that looks exactly like her. She enters the shop. The doll keeps moving but Alma is determined to get her hands on it. Alma won the animation award at LA Shorts Fest.
The Bloody Olive by Vincent Bal (1996) (Belgium) (10m)
The Bloody Olive is a slick, funny spoof from Belgium (they must really love Santa there), where the comedy deepens as things go from crazy to crazier and then up a notch. Don't try to follow the details of the ever-changing plot too closely - just sit back and enjoy one stupid twist after another! Bal went on to make the succesful TV animated series, Kirka & Bob. The Bloody Olive has English subtitles.
