So This Is Christmas

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So This Is Christmas

2023

1h 26m

Holiday

Documentary

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6 Reviews

Popcornmeter

Fewer than 50 Ratings

It's late November in a quiet little Irish town, and the expectations of the impending festive season are growing. Christmas trees are being bought, festive music turned up and presents scrambled for. It's all getting very bright and loud, excessive and expensive. "So this is Christmas" takes us on a heartening and emotional journey with five ordinary characters as they navigate personal dilemmas triggered by this overwhelming time of year. Amid their everyday lives and struggles, we discover stories of extraordinary resilience and humble bravery. The story is brought to life in a creative documentary form, where characters' lives interweave with a colorful tapestry of Christmas scenes. Beyond the façade of tinsel and celebration, the film explores the deeper complexities that emerge when expectations collide with reality. What transpires is an important social commentary, filled with humor yet tinged with tragedy that will leave audiences questioning the true meaning of Christmas.

Catherine Bray

Guardian

These people’s stories are all gently compelling, in much the same way as they would be if you got into a conversation with any of them on the bus or in a bar.

Rated: 3/5

Dec 10, 2024

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Pat Mullen

POV Magazine

There’s clear comfort with the interviews as the conversations offer a cathartic means for the participants to work through their stories

May 31, 2024

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Lisa Dempsey

Film Ireland Magazine

I struggle to see how anyone wouldn’t be able to relate to the people in this film in some way. It is an absolutely beautiful depiction of these subjects that was executed extremely well.

Dec 1, 2023

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Sarah McIntyre

RTÉ (Ireland)

The gulf between the giddy expectations around Christmas and the frequently deflating reality is explored by Wardrop with tenderness and empathy.

Rated: 5/5

Nov 28, 2023

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Hilary A White

Sunday Independent (Ireland)

The assumption with any films themed around Christmas is they will become seasonal staples. This could very well transpire with Wardrop’s latest jewel, such is the kindly, twinkle-eyed embrace it administers.

Rated: 4/5

Nov 28, 2023

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Paul Whitington

Irish Independent

Sometimes Wardrop’s film is not an easy watch, but the honesty of his subjects and the respect with which he treats their stories, make this documentary utterly compelling.

Rated: 5/5

Nov 28, 2023

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Ash O

This is worst, most miserable, downbeat and fake documentary I have ever seen. As soon I saw RTE's logo I knew it wouldn't be real. This was dreadful. One and a half hours of misery. Do not watch this unless you like having all the life sucked out of you. So fake, so rubbish and worst of all, there was no point to it what so ever. Total waste of time. Absolute sham. Some of the camera work and shots were very well framed and looked good. Forget the rest.

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

12/05/23

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Janet M

It was a wonderful kind movie . It did not invoke sympathy in me but rather admiration and respect for those who struggle. Their ability to keep on going without any begrudging attitude. A great display of the human heart . Thank you to all involved.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

12/01/23

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Ken Wardrop

Director

Loretta Kelly

Self

Dan Keane

Self

Joey Keane

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Amy Keane

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Annette Foran

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Synopsis

It's late November in a quiet little Irish town, and the expectations of the impending festive season are growing. Christmas trees are being bought, festive music turned up and presents scrambled for. It's all getting very bright and loud, excessive and expensive. "So this is Christmas" takes us on a heartening and emotional journey with five ordinary characters as they navigate personal dilemmas triggered by this overwhelming time of year. Amid their everyday lives and struggles, we discover stories of extraordinary resilience and humble bravery. The story is brought to life in a creative documentary form, where characters' lives interweave with a colorful tapestry of Christmas scenes. Beyond the façade of tinsel and celebration, the film explores the deeper complexities that emerge when expectations collide with reality. What transpires is an important social commentary, filled with humor yet tinged with tragedy that will leave audiences questioning the true meaning of Christmas.

Director: Ken Wardrop
Producer: Andrew Freedman, Samantha Corr
Screenwriter: Ken Wardrop
Production Co: Venom Film
Genre: Holiday, Documentary
Original Language: English
Runtime: 1h 26m

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