Have you ever gone skiing? I haven't. My parents weren't that sporty and we only went on summer holidays. Friends sometimes spoke about going skiing or snowboarding, but it honestly did not appeal to me that much. I went snowboarding once, in an indoor snow center. I remember that it was kind of fun and I almost broke my wrist.
Now imagine being on a five day holiday. What was supposed to be a fun time spent with the people closest to you, changes into the extreme opposite. I bet you wish you had never booked this vacation...
Turist (2014)
The third entry in my list of atypical Christmas films is a fairly new movie. In my earlier posts, I talked about a slasher horror film from the 70s, Black Christmas, and a classic horror comedy from the 80s, Gremlins. This time I will discuss a moving picture from 2014. After having visited Canada and United States in the first two posts, today's Christmas movie recommendation will bring you to the mountains of France, The Alps.
I don't know whether I should laugh or cry
If you research this film, you will find that it is considered a comedy by many, for instance by IMDb. Those renting or watching this, expecting some laughs, will be disappointed. I wouldn't describe it as such. It's a drama. At least, that's how I most remember it. I have no memories of me smiling - let alone laughing - while watching this. I look back at it as a highly impactful drama.
You might be familiar with these heavy, emotional dramas that you really felt when you watched them. You can't say you 'enjoyed' them though. And even though you would describe these as good films, you probably wouldn't watch those films ever again.
The above doesn't happen with me often. It happens with horror though
Turist - on the other hand - is the type of drama that I wouldn't mind watching several times. Not because I enjoy the film or want to laugh about the poor souls involved. I would like to watch this film more often because it is so good and -in a way - pretty unique and refreshing (not just because of the snow).
I must have watched this film a year and a half ago. It left enough of an impact on me to remember it a couple of hundred movies later.
What's it about?
Imagine a family of four with two young kids. They are enjoying a skiing holiday. One day, when they're having a drink - on a terrace overlooking huge snowy mountains - an avalanche starts moving down a faraway slope. It's an artificially created avalanche, caused by an explosion. It's meant to clear the slope from loose snow (or possible avalanches).
The father explains about the controlled avalanche to his family, mentioning that it's safe. Then, people suddenly become aware that the avalanche is heading in their direction and is getting closer and closer...
In a matter of seconds, they all have to take a decision. Should they run or should they hide? Suffice to say that these choices determine the rest of the movie and the future of this family.
Why would I watch this movie around Christmas?
No matter how appealing it may sound to just watch comedies and other types of feel good movies at this time of the year, I encourage you to try something else for a change.
A good drama – especially one that involves a family (crisis) – is so much more interesting. This might sound crazy to you, but watching films like these really confronts you with the importance of family, the importance of communication and the flaws of human beings.
Without wanting to spoil any more about the plot, let me conclude by telling you that I easily identified with all family members in this film.
Final note:
As an outsider – or in this case, viewer – it's easy to judge people on the way they act in a certain situation. It's not too difficult to mention that you "would never do such a thing." I believe though, that the only way to find out about such a thing, is to be in that situation yourself. People do unexpected things when survival mode – or the lizard brain – kicks in. You won't know for sure what you would do in a matter of life and death until you're literally living it.
If you're interested in seeing a key scene of this film, you might want to check out the following teaser:
[Source](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PBsayhY2GrA)Today I decided that I'm probably gonna watch the newest movie by this Swedish director - The Square - in cinema tomorrow. I'm looking forward to it and will probably blog about it in a couple of days time.
Image source: Poster Turist
