Festive Foreign Film Fans

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Greece is the word, is the word that you heard

In honor of our good friend Liz Schuh, the Festive Fans visit the homeland and the cradle of Western civilization this episode.  We head to the Greek islands, past Athens and those incredible ancient Acropolis and Parthenon ruins, and onto the sun-drenched beaches, the piercing blue skies, and the balmy Aegean Sea.  When you have stunning Santorini and fun-filled Mykonos, who needs Christmas?  We do!  

It's got groove, it's got meaning

The boys finally travel to a country that one of us has recently visited.  Mark just returned from Greece to provide us with a unique Man on the Street (in a beautiful foreign locale) report.  Does he learn to say “Merry Christmas” in Greek? – no;  Does he visit any of the movie locations? – no;  Does he ask the locals about their Christmas traditions and customs? – no.  Does he go cliff diving in a thong? – well, no again, but it does provide a hilarious visual.  We kind of feel like a jealous mistress, when Mark is on vacation, he forgets all about us …  

Greece is the time, is the place, is the nation

We take this cinematic opportunity to experience the Christmas Tango.  We watch as First Lieutenant Stefanos Karamanidis learns to tango from a nervous, young soldier, Lazaros Lazarou.  Karamanidis wants to dance with the wife of his superior, the hard-as-nails Colonel Manolis Loggos, at the camp’s Christmas party.   We put this ballroom instruction to good use when we grab the Kalikantzaroi and all start to boogie to Despina Vandi’s Xristougenna.  That’s even before we eat the Melomakarona and Kourabiede cookies!  Ain’t that right Liz?

Greece is the way we are feeling!

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The Festive Fans are getting steamy this episode, but not in the way you might think.  Unless you mean a penis panic.  The boys are off to the balmy island state of Singapore where the Christmas celebrations are full of warm memories, but mostly from the temperature.  This tropical country is over the top in its Yule-themed festivities, from the Orchard Road Street Party to the Christmas Wonderland at Gardens by the Bay.  Bob knows this, because he experienced it firsthand when he traveled there in December.  

 The two also have time to go shopping, or, more specifically, to review the film “Gone Shopping”, which takes place at Christmastime.  It is an examination of three lonely individuals, the stereotypes and prejudices of the culture, and the familiar Singaporean pastime of shopping.  While not festive, it does allow the 4F crew to explore the country’s holiday traditions with their own unique Asian twist.   Singapore is a place where they embrace a white Christmas so much, they fake it by using foam snow.  Join us to see how this country celebrates in a way that is truly magical and an extravaganza of lights, sound and spectacle.

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Slovenia is such an unexpected delight for the Festive Fans.  This episode’s movie is full of pleasant surprises – two young and engaging leads; a stunning, baroque cityscape; and an honest and moving story – it has everything any podcaster could ever want.  We laughed, we cried, we cheered, and that was just for our introduction.  If you are looking for a way to launch your holiday season, try this Kapa/Beanie on for size.  You will be taken in by the landscape, charmed by the story, and left feeling ready to hug Christmas in true festive fashion.  

What more could you expect from a country that has three, count them, three iconic gift givers -- Sveti Miklavž, Dedek Mraz, and Božicek. Plus, one of them wears genuine dormouse fur.  They also have a giant nativity event in a cave, a Krampus night with fireballs, chains and a dance party, and girls who can get a husband just from eating some poppyseed bread.  How can you not love this place?  But don’t take our word for it, join us on this audio tour of the best hidden holiday secret of Central Europe. 

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This episode is a wistful look back to an earlier time in the welcoming country of Senegal, known as the “Gateway to Africa”.  We visit this westernmost point on the continent to view the 1994 film Ça Twiste à Poponguine.  The story is set in post-colonial Senegal, right after the tiny nation gained its independence. It is a challenging time for this remote village as it struggles with the  American and French influence on the youth and the changing African customs and traditions. The film is a fond tribute to the early 1960s, a time when any dream seemed possible, especially for these young Africans and their new nation.

Set at Christmastime in Popoguine, a small seaside town, this tale of internal strife is depicted by the teenagers who are divided into rival gangs. The main characters are played by untrained non-actors from Senegal, giving the movie a realistic feel. The first group, the “Ins” (or Inseparables) have adopted the names of French pop stars – Johnny Halliday, Sylvie Vartan, “Clo Clo” and Eddie Mitchell. They attend school and have female members, but they don’t own a record player. The other gang, the Kings, style themselves after popular American artists – Otis Redding, Ray Charles and James Brown. They work as fishermen and don’t have any girls, but they do have a record player.  The cultural struggle around them is seen in blended elements like when Chubby Checkers' Let's Twist Again is being sung in French, and wafting over this Senegalese village with locals dressed in traditional garb.

This is a classic, coming of age story, and the Festive Fans love a good coming of age film, especially since we are coming of age – old age.  In keeping with the film’s theme of mixed cultures, although Senegal is 95% Muslim, Christmas is a popular holiday in the country.  The Senegalese believe that the holiday is about coming together for something greater than themselves and putting differences aside, even if it's for only one day.  

As Mr. Benoit remarks about the actions of the “Ins” against the “Kings” and the elders against the youth – “Civilizations die that reject the Other. Universal civilization is the fruit of give and take." When the village comes together at the end for a giant Christmas dance party, we realize this is a sentiment we should all should, and can, embrace.

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If you want to enjoy a true Middle Eastern Christmas, one with diverse religions and languages, but also filled with historic, cultural, culinary and artistic delights, join the Fans as we head on a festive jaunt to amazing Lebanon.  This is a unique holiday location, with incredible natural beauty, that offers a little something for everyone -- ancient Roman ruins and castles, limestone caves, beautiful beaches, and mountainous ski resorts.  It is a well-kept secret and a hidden gift that you didn’t know you needed, but one you should unwrap nonetheless. 

We explore a Memory Box filled with journals, notebooks, cassette tapes and photographs. It is the basis for a film that incorporates different media and textures, where still photographs turn into mini-animations to illustrate a story that folds together the past and present.  It begins one snowy Christmas Eve in Canada but flashes back to the Lebanese Civil War of the 1980s and Beirut on the brink of being torn apart.  The box serves as a portal to painful and buried memories and experiences.  Although not exactly common Christmas fodder, this is a deeply personal tale of old friends who still “eat with the dead and the ghosts” of the past. 

And yet, when they reunite at the conclusion, now middle-aged and greying, they still can dance to Blondie’s One Way or Another with the same reckless abandon they had as teenagers.  This moving echo of a memory seamlessly melding into modern day Beirut signals a brighter future for all, just as the brilliant sun rises over a reborn city.  It provides a hopeful note that resonates with literal warmth and brightness.  We can’t think of a better message to embrace for Christmas.

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How do you want to spend Christmas?  If you like to celebrate in a warm and colorful locale with incredible natural beauty, lush beaches, and a stunning rainforest, grab a holiday speedo or thong, because you are going to love this episode.  We heat it up by exploring the joys of Brazil.  We travel to the world’s fifth largest country and learn how they enjoy Christmas -- with all of the sexy and smooth vibes of a passionate tango.  We first learn of the fate of Jorge, the star of this episode’s festive foreign film Tudo Bem No Natal Que Vem or “Just Another Christmas”.  He wakes up and every day is Christmas, only he can’t remember the previous year.  It’s like Groundhog Day, It’s a Wonderful Life, and Family Man combined with all of the cultural richness of Brazil.  

Next, we learn the secret of the Chester, a meaty Frankenstein meal of big breasts and thighs. And finally, we meet Joyce Moreno, a multi-talented musician, and her Christmas track “O Velhinho” (“The Old Man”).  It is a national favorite, with the traditional bossa nova and samba sounds of Brazil, that deliver both a sophisticated and festive sound.  It’ll be more fun than a bite from the Brazilian Wandering Spider.

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Put on your Gjermundbu helmet, grab your tunic and don’t forget the woolen underwear. We are off the coolest country in Europe to explore their Christmas traditions during our dog days of summer. We are talking Norway, on the outskirts of Europe – the land of Vikings, reindeer, mountains, glaciers, and fjords. Is there anything better? Yes, Norway has the northern lights! 

Plus our visit to Scandinavia provides us an opportunity to review the Yuletime dramedy Himmelfall about mentally ill patients at the holidays.  Mark and Bob also weigh in on a raging controversy about what is the best regional meal to serve for Christmas dinner (we have our thoughts).  Next, we take on a festive song called "Nå er det jul", which mentions several of the Norwegian traditions, and ole’ Julenisse brings the Splayers what is our number one gift – Crocs for Christmas!

Bob and Mark are currently gathering a petition to allow two lowly but impartial American podcasters to resolve the national debate that we understand has riled the country and turned neighbor against neighbor.  We believe that only hungry  outsiders who vote with their stomachs can set it right and determine once and for all which is the better choice:  ribbe or pinnekjøtt?  Our only requirment is that we be served these celebrated meals many times over a several week period to ensure that we can make a smart, honest and thorough assessment.  Oh, yes, we will also need many bottles of the best Norwegian beer.  This is necessary to clense our distinguished palates with some homegrown brew before we attack the next meal.  

Don't forget the Festive Foreign Fun Fact.  You may need one this winter!  We also are looking for a local touring guide sporting a Santa hat to escort the Festive Fans on a fishing, hiking and skiing expedition, preferably to Lillehammer’s Olympic resort.  We want the full Norwegian experience (especially if everything is on the house, because, you know, we are Festive Foreign influencers and worth every free penny)!  One last request, let us know which of our new theme songs you like – “Another Festive Foreign Film Fan” (apologies to Pink Floyd), “Festive Foreign Film Fans” (apologies to Cyndi Lauper"), or “Festive Foreign Film Fans" (apologies to Michael Jackson").  Send your choice to [email protected].

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G’day Mate!  We’re so stoked.  The Festive Fans are firing the barbie today for holiday tucker -- heaps of prawns and snags.  We’re putting on some cozies and thongs (well, Mark’s in a budgie smuggler) to enjoy our visit to Straya. 

Beware the mozzies because it’s a summer celebration.  We’ll be going off, skulling a few frothies, getting some Macca’s, and making a visit to the “December Boys” out in the woop woop.  This film is a beauty.  Crikey, it’s a bloody good prezzie.  There’s orphans, a sea captain, a stunt motorcyclist, and some sick Sheilas.  It’s just what you want in your festive film and a real cracker.    

We learn how to say “Happy Christmas” like the Aboriginal people: Gaadha Gayaa!  Then after brekkie, we’ll spend the arvo at the beach, waiting for Caroling by Candlelight.  We'll also enjoy the sounds of “How to Make Gravy”, a local tune steeped in the Yule culture Down Under.  You can truly see, feel, and experience this song by Paul Kelly.  He’s a popular fixture of Melbourne folklore and on its music scene.  Dardy!

This is a true Aussie Chrissie and it’s good on ya! 

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So it's Season 2.  We are older and wiser.  Or, with all the traditional food and drink from last season, maybe just older and wider.  We have a much broader view now and we are keeping our chins up ... all of them.  To kick off the season, we didn't want to rush into it with something simple or easy.  No Disney here.  We travel to Slovakia, the twin sister to the Czech Republic, which we covered in Episode 8.  The story in "Let There Be Light" is complicated, messy and layered, which the same is true of us Festive Fans.  And we have more layers now!  What a way to start! 

This film leaves us so intrigued with the mystery of Slovokia.  It was difficult to find any details about the actors, the music, and the country.  While still young, this independent upstart is entering its thirties, but still having growing pains, which only leaves us more curious to visit.  Plus, we want to try some of that hot and sweet cabbage soup  Bob is a bit unsatified with the end of the movie, so we just distract him with this episode's song.  You put this holiday burner on and you'll forget all about the movie.  As we like to say in Season 2, "Are you 4Fing kidding me?"      

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This episode is our longest and most special.  It is Part 2 of our anniversary show.  We welcome our first guest, author and podcaster Alonso Duralde; we pick our favorite global holiday songs and movies; and, most importantly, we enjoy and celebrate our podcast, and our listeners, and everything new this first year has taught us.  When we started, we were told that our topic was super niche and no one was going to be interested in a discussion of foreign Christmas movies -- especially those that are hard-to-find and from obscure countries.  The practical advice would have been to find a topic more relatable to a larger audience.  Instead, we decided to stick with a concept that we care about.  We know our audience is small, but we hope that they engage with us and with the podcast in the same way that we do.  It's not only about Christmas, or movies, or customs, but it is about basic goodness, spiritual hunger, and human kindness.  We  live in a world divided, and we can be incredibly self-focused and distant from other countries.  We often look through a prism that reflects only ourselves and our experience.  It is our hope that in some small way this podcast can build bridges and break down walls.  Watching international films, you will see a different view of the world.  When we learn to look outside of ourselves and appreciate other cultures, we can accept the unique world around us, and that is the true meaning of Christmas. 

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