Christmas films: Feel good stories with snow, romance, tradition, and community spirit
Each December, films that take place during Christmas are shown—classics such as "It’s a Wonderful Life", more modern ones such as "Love Actually", and new productions on streaming services.
”As long as the combination of religion, tradition, family, and commercialism is viable, there is a market for Christmas films”, says Mats Björkin, Professor in Film Studies.
Films where Christmas is integral to the plot have been around since the 1890’s. The earliest ones centered around Santa Claus. Later, it was rather Christmas as a holiday that was central.
”Charles Dickens’s "A Christmas Carrol" is such an example. That story has been twisted and turned in many films, both on the big screen and on TV”, says Mats Björkin.
The earliest preserved film adaptation of "A Christmas Carol" is from 1901 and the latest one was a computer animated film with Jim Carrey released in 2009. In between, we find at least 20 versions, among others a TV musical from 1954, an adaptation by the BBC from 1977, and the Disney version "Mickey’s Christmas Carol" from 1983.
Community spirit and loneliness
From the start, Christmas films were popular. Mats Björkin thinks it’s connected to the expectations and disappointments associated with the holiday.
”Community spirit and loneliness are never as strong as they are at Christmas. In addition, since the days of silent films, the Christmas holiday has been one of the best times of the year for film premieres.”
Although the films have shifted focus over time, some ingredients have remained the same.
”One thing that hasn’t changed is the happy endings, but generally the films have probably become funnier and less serious over time”, says Mats Björkin.
Love stories in a Christmas environment
Yvonne Leffler is a Professor of Literary Studies and has researched American Christmas films. They often center around a professional woman in her 20’s or 30’s who by chance, often in connection to her job or a vacation before Christmas, meets a man who arouses her interest. The viewers get to follow how the heroine and hero fall for each other while they are busy with a variety of Christmas preparations that deepen their relationship. The plot leads to the first kiss—on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day.
These films are characterised by family values, that it’s important to celebrate Christmas at home.
”Most often, the stressful career-oriented and impersonal life in the big city is contrasted by the familial Christmas atmosphere in the small town among friends and family. And they take place in environments that are excessively decorated for Christmas, where the snow is deep and the winter sky is clear and starry.”
Successful combination
Thus, the American Christmas film is a successful combination of Christmas spirit and romance with a happy ending.
”Christmas’s message of love reinforces their budding love. Even if there are obstacles for their union, these are overcome in a way that confirms Christmas’s message of love and Christmas as the time for miracles.”
What do you think about the future of the American Christmas film?
”It looks bright. I can’t see any slowdown in audience interest, quite the opposite. In these times of concern about the climate and the political situation in the world, our need for feel good stories with happy endings is greater than ever”, says Yvonne Leffler.
By: Thomas Melin
Mats Björkin:
- "Fanny and Alexander", Ingmar Bergman, 1982, Sweden – nothing beats a Bergman Christmas.
- "It’s a Wonderful Life", Frank Capra, 1946, USA) – the Christmas film of Christmas films.
- "Take Me Out to the Snowland" ("私をスキーに連れてって"), Yasuo Baba,1987, Japan – Christmas as a holiday of romance.
- "A Charlie Brown Christmas", Bill Melendez, 1964, USA – what can go wrong when little Chralie Brown questions Christmas commerce?
- "8 Women" ("8 femmes"), François Ozon, 2001, Frankrike – singing and murder led by France’s leadning actresses.
Yvonne Leffler:
- Although I’m interested in the Christmas film phenomena, I’m not a fan of Christmas films. But if I must pick a decent Christmas film, I choose "Love Actually" from 2003.