The Scandinavian Christmas film 'Julius in Winterland' can be admired in movie theaters from today. We were probably allowed to take a first (children's) look at Mamsatwork.
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After a period of singing Sinterklaas songs, we were ready for the 'cozy Christmas' again. What better way to get in the mood than with a real Christmas movie. The children's curiosity was aroused after reading the intro. With a bowl of chips on their laps they sat, 3 in a row, ready for the movie. But, I had to get used to the first images…
I expected a 3D animation film, as we see more often lately. This movie, however, was very different. The Danish director Jacob Ley, in collaboration with the successful Danish production house Copenhagen Bombay, used various innovative techniques to make 'Julius in Winterland'. By using, among other things, clay and cut-out animation, he created a special visual style, close to stop-motion. It somewhat matched the thoughts I had with the first images:'Is it clay now? Or paper? Signed?” It seemed like a combination of all of that. Very special and so different from mainstream children's films.
Read also: 21x children's Christmas movies on Netflix
Julius lives in an orphanage with several other children. He is an outcast but is lovingly cared for by Alfred, the old director. Julius is looking forward to Christmas, because of the traditions, but also because Alfred told him that Santa brought Julius to him. The older orphan boys tease him and tell him that Alfred is pretending to be Santa Claus because he doesn't exist.
Shocked, Julius pulls back. Julius ends up in Winterland via a magic box, where he is awaited by the Christmas Angel. His task is to defeat Krampus, an ex-Santa's sidekick, who now hates Christmas and children. Together with his friend Herman, he embarks on this adventure in the magical Scandinavian landscape. However, Krampus gets unexpected help from Julius's teasing spirits from the orphanage. Will he be able to save Christmas?
It has to be said:all the kids, including a toddler who doesn't like watching television and a toddler of 2, were enthralled to watch the film from the start. They were really into it, which in itself is a nice thing to see.
Perhaps it is precisely because it was not your average animation film that they got so lost in it. Now it is also the case that everything runs smoothly, not too exciting and the text is spoken slowly and clearly, is also funny and recognizable. There is regular laughter, especially at Krampus, whose angry appearance makes you almost forget about his funny demeanor.
Furthermore, the children were very captivated by the film until the very end. The next day, Julius appeared on the screen again on request 😉 .
The focus is on the traditions linked to Christmas, wanting to see the good in each other, and holding on to hope and faith. So the real Christmas spirit.
