Icelandic Film Centre
Íslenska

Unholy Night

It is the night before Christmas and all through the decrepit school house nothing is stirring, not even a mouse.

Well that is not exactly the truth, but what has happened in this weather beaten building in the barren Icelandic tundra is more akin to cruel fantasy than stark reality. A few days ago the participants of an experimental rehab clinic came there in order to cast out their inner demons, stay away from temptation and finally discover a little about their sober selves. That didn’t go quite according to plan, but they discovered Santa was real.

Not the jolly fat man of the Coca Cola variety, but the scary outlawish Yule Man from Icelandic folk tales. Legend tells us that they were 13: Peeping Tom, Meathook and other family friendly names; and they were the children of a cannibalistic ogre called Greela, who was as old as the Sagas. Throughout the centuries they were used to frighten children – to ensure they would stay in over the harsh Christmas period.

Being used to that every day is a constant struggle for survival and the next fix the participants manage to fend of the Yule Men’s first attack – suffering some casualties in the battle. “Unholy Night” takes place the night after the first attack.

Crew

About the film

  • Type
    Short Film
  • National Premiere Date
    December 23, 2007
  • Genre
    Horror
  • Length
    10 min.
  • Language
    Icelandic
  • Original Title
    Örstutt jól
  • International Title
    Unholy Night
  • Production Year
    2007
  • Production Countries
    Iceland
  • IMDB
  • Website
  • Icelandic Film Centre Grant
    Yes
  • Production Format
    HDcam
  • Aspect Ratio
    16:9
  • Color
    Yes
  • Sound
    Dolby Digital

Cast

Company Credits

Festivals

  • 2010
    Scanorama European Film Forum

Poster

Poster
Download poster