Wednesday, December 30, 2009

Merry Christmas


I watched the old Norwegian film "Tante Pose" a couple of days ago. It's such a sweet film, showing a very cosy if somewhat dysfunctional Christmas celebration from the late 1800's. It's one of my favourite films, and I reckon I must have watched it some 20 to 30 times (I have it on DVD, and it's usually shown on TV during Christmas).

Tante Pose would translate to "Auntie Bag", a nickname earned by the old maiden aunt of the family's for her unfortunate habit of speaking her mind. I must admit I have always had a fond spot for Tante Pose, difficult as she might be.

Tante Pose decides to spend Christmas with her brother and his family, and arrives about an hour after her delayed letter informing of her arrival. The entire house is on edge, trying to prepare her bedchamber, manage the last bit of Christmas baking (a big thing in the olden days in Norway), and also quarrelling about who tells old Granddad (Granddad and Tante Pose cannot stand each other) about her arrival.

I will not divulge too much of how the story goes, in case someone out there hasn't seen the film, and would like to, but suffice it to say that Granddad does a great job of teasing Tante Pose, she has her sweet revenge, and also manages to create more than one scandal before the Christmas stay is over.


Merry Christmas, everyone :o)