Free Text
Christmas Survivors
Synopsis
"Christmas Survivors" is a heartwarming family film that follows the journey of 10-year-old Maja, whose life undergoes a transformative change during a Christmas holiday spent at a family farm nestled in the snow-covered mountains of Norway. After years of shouldering adult responsibilities by caring for her younger brother and alcoholic mother, Maja finally gets an opportunity to reclaim her childhood in this picturesque winter setting.
During her stay at the farm, Maja encounters a cast of compelling characters who impact her journey: a wise and caring grandmother, a misunderstood uncle with a troubled past, various farm animals, and even a "Nisse" – a mythological creature from Norwegian folklore. This 50cm-tall barn gnome is a traditional figure believed to protect farm animals and punish farmers who mistreat their livestock.
Set against the backdrop of Dovre village in the Norwegian mountains, an area surrounded by national parks teeming with wildlife such as musk oxen, reindeer, and moose, the film creates a realistic world with touches of magic. Through her experiences on the farm and interactions with these characters, Maja embarks on a life-changing journey that helps her heal and rediscover the joys of childhood.
The film is currently in development as a feature-length production, with a related short film titled "Mother didn't know" and a pilot already completed.
Mission
The film "Christmas Survivors" aims to address complex family dynamics and childhood trauma through the lens of a heartwarming seasonal story, creating a space where difficult subjects like parental alcoholism can be explored in a manner accessible to audiences of all ages. By setting this narrative within the magical yet authentic atmosphere of a Norwegian mountain farm during Christmas, the film seeks to balance the harsh realities of dysfunctional families with the healing potential of new relationships and environments.
Through its portrayal of 10-year-old Maja's journey, the film strives to illuminate the experiences of children who are forced to assume adult responsibilities prematurely, while offering a hopeful vision of how these children can reclaim their childhood when given the proper support and care. The inclusion of the Norwegian "Nisse" folklore element serves to bridge the gap between harsh reality and gentle fantasy, allowing younger audiences to process difficult themes through familiar mythological storytelling.
The project endeavors to create a uniquely Scandinavian contribution to the family film genre by interweaving authentic rural Norwegian settings and traditions with universal themes of family reconciliation, personal growth, and holiday renewal. By employing a blend of realistic storytelling with touches of magic, "Christmas Survivors" aspires to create a cinematic experience that is simultaneously culturally specific and emotionally universal, offering viewers a film that can be revisited across generations and serve as both entertainment and a conversation starter about challenging family situations.
About the film
"Christmas Survivors" is a feature film in development by director Anita Killi and Trollfilm AS. The film is set in the village of Dovre in the Norwegian mountains, a location surrounded by national parks home to wildlife such as musk oxen, reindeer, and moose. The setting is inspired by the director's own farm and creates a realistic world with touches of magic.
The story centers on 10-year-old Maja who, after years of caring for her little brother and alcoholic mother, experiences a transformative Christmas holiday at a family farm in the snow-covered mountains of Norway. During her stay, she encounters a caring grandmother, a misunderstood uncle, farm animals, and even a "Nisse" – a traditional 50cm-tall barn gnome from Scandinavian folklore known to protect farm animals and punish farmers who don't treat their livestock properly.
The film is being developed as a stop-motion animation feature, with plans to utilize a combination of traditional animation techniques and innovative approaches. A related short film titled "Mother didn't know" and a pilot have already been produced.
The project has been in development for several years, previously under working titles such as "Nissen på Dovre" and "Christmas Survivors," before being renamed "Jula på Dovre" (Christmas at Dovre). The film aims to balance realistic storytelling with magical elements to create a heartwarming family film that addresses complex themes in a manner accessible to audiences of all ages.
Project team