Christmas Oratorio

01/01/1995

About

A feature co-produced with Sveriges Television and Sandrew Film AB. Screened 14 July 1997 in the Wellington Film Festival.

The effects of a 1930s accident, in which Sidner’s mother, Solveig, dies in a senseless but nasty bicycle accident ripple down through three generations. Solveig, a lively and loved mother and wife, had a dream to perform Bach’s gorgeous but difficult Christmas Oratoria in her humble church choir. Her death deleted that desire. Her family is devestated and sells up. Sidner, his sister and his father Aron move to Sunne to work at a hotel. Aron tries hard to leave the sweet memories of his wife behind him but it isn’t made easier by the fact that he occasionally catches a reflection of her, and even converses with her ghost. Sidner’s teenage years are weighed down by the tragedy. He meets Splendid, a young man whose friendship makes him stronger. Then he meets the eccentric, delicate and middle aged Fanny, through whom this story continues into the third generation. Aron meets someone, too. Through ham radio, Aron gets himself a penfriend, a young girl in New Zealand called Tessa. He starts to dream of beginning a new life on the other side of the world, and she encourages him. Will his dreams come true and can they help him to cure his regret over the death of his wife?

Review:

"Christmas Oratorio is simply one of the year's most astonishing and hypnotic films. Lovers of old-fashioned emotionally-charged melodramas will revel in the shimmering beauty and overwhelming power of this finely-crafted gem from Scandinavia. poignant and richly evocative, Christmas Oratorio is a wonderful look at the pains of growing up and loss. Gloriously shot on locations as varied as Norway and New Zealand, Christmas Oratorio is a deeply rich and poignant work; it chronicles the life of a young boy who embarks on his own journey of self discovery after witnessing his mother's horrific death. His father never survives the loss and the pair is never close. From the young boy's friendship, to his first sexual experience resulting in unexpected fatherhood, Christmas Oratorio is a full cinematic journey, visually dazzling, intelligently crafted and an emotional tour-de-force. A fine film indeed, and an undiscovered treasure. There is a superb sense of character here, and riveting performances to boot. Here is a film that doesn’t contain a barrage of special effects, or even simplistic plot contrivances, but instead, a meticulously crafted and rewarding story that will continue to haunt the viewer long after its conclusion."
Paul Fischer