Festive Foreign Film Fans

Festive Fans Unite! (send us a message)Well, the Festive Fans have been toiling for three years, searching out celebrations, rich traditions, and delicious food from all over the world.  We find joy in all of the countries we visit, as we continue our search for the happiest and most magical places on Earth.  Like climbing a mystical mountain, we may have finally reached the pinnacle. Our podcast about the Philippines does not just describe a destination, it is a culture that embraces Christmas with unmatched passion and heart. Few countries celebrate the Yuletide season with as much energy, love, and spirit as the Philippines, making it truly the best holiday location in the world, and the Festive Fans admit we are thrilled. Our experience in the Philippines is like reaching a sacred destination.  We have spent years on a hunt for the true global spirit of Christmas.  We have traveled the world seeking the best holiday destinations, where Christmas is genuine and magical.  And, we have finally arrived at the optimal location, which is like finally arriving to meet that mysterious guru at the top of the mountain.Just like the seeker who climbs a steep path hoping to gain wisdom, visitors who experience Christmas in the Philippines discover a celebration so rich in warmth and humanity that it does feel spiritually enlightening. The guru at the top of the mountain symbolizes our podcast as well, as we both try to expand consciousness, broaden horizons, and dissolve country borders.  The emotional warmth of Christmas in the Philippines can be transformative, much like the beauty and reflection displayed by that fabled teacher.One of the most remarkable reasons the Philippines is the best holiday location is that it celebrates the longest Christmas season in the world. Festivities begin as early as September and continue until January. The moment the “ber” months arrive, Christmas songs fill shopping malls, colorful lanterns light up the streets, and homes become decorated with sparkling lights and ornaments. While many people associate Christmas with snow, the Philippines provides a tropical alternative filled with white sand beaches, crystal-clear waters, and lush mountains. This combination of holiday spirit and paradise-like landscapes makes the experience truly unforgettable. We also learn so much this episode, as we discuss the Philippian tradition of Simbang Gabi, which is the ultimate test of Christmas devotion with nine pre-dawn masses.  This custom is portrayed in the film we review -- 9 Mornings — which is not just about Simbang Gabi, but also a romantic drama.  It promises to fully ignite your Christmas spirit. There are lessons here, but without being preachy, religious or melodramatic. Much like The Christmas Carol, the story is simple, as it examines how the true meaning of Christmas is about finding your purpose in life.We also give a well-deserved shout out to the wives and mothers in our lives, and we hear from the most important people who matter, our kids.  And maybe that’s the perfect conclusion to this episode.  It highlights the best things in our lives — our kids, wives, and, of course, the Philippines at Christmastime!Email Address:  [email protected]: @festivefans4F Playlist:https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6ccCbuBY0Yi7WAx6F0Gu8f?si=135ea2453ce645ce Facebook Page:https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1000925224168484F Flair Shop (Festive Fans Merchandise)https://festivefanflair.myspreadshop.com/ 

Festive Fans Unite! (send us a message)For this episode, our journey unfolds under warm African skies and rolling green hills, as we venture out of the lingering winter cold and into the famous mountains of Volcanoes National Park.  Instead of tinsel and lights, we are surrounded by dormant volcanoes, dense rainforest, and bamboo groves.  This is the land where Dian Fossey lived for 18 years, studying and protecting the mountain gorillas. The Festive Fans are in Rwanda, the land of Gorillas in the Mist.The same mist that once cloaked Fossey’s research camps still lingers, softening and blurring the line between past and present. Rwanda’s story is powerful because of its remarkable success over the past three decades.  It is currently one of Africa’s fastest-growing and most forward-looking countries. Rwanda has found a way to embrace both its amazing natural heritage and the profound human tragedy that occurred there. In the aftermath of the 1994 genocide, the country faced incredible challenges, including a devastated infrastructure, deep social divisions, and a shattered economy. Yet Rwanda has deliberately worked to redefine its global image, from one defined by tragedy in the past to one associated with unity and possibility for the future.  Overall, Rwanda offers a different perspective on the Christmas holiday—one with less emphasis on lights, trees, and shopping, and more on simple acts of faith and gratitude. The atmosphere is festive but modest. It’s less about spectacle and more about meaning, making it a powerful reminder of what the season represents at its core. Rwanda is a leader in environmental conservation, where plastic bags are banned, communities participate in monthly clean-up days (Umuganda), and conservation of landscapes like Volcanoes National Park is a national priority.  This commitment to conservation, sustainability, and stewardship mirrors how Christmas is celebrated across the country. There is an emphasis on simplicity, shared meals, and gathering.  Rwanda’s Christmas is not just a religious or cultural event, but also an expression of the country’s philosophy that caring for one another and caring for the natural world can be deeply intertwined. In this way, its famous mountain gorillas are woven into this deeper Yuletide message that care, respect, and coexistence — amongst people, nature, and the animal kingdom — are at the heart of what truly makes the season meaningful.Email Address:  [email protected]: @festivefans4F Playlist:https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6ccCbuBY0Yi7WAx6F0Gu8f?si=135ea2453ce645ce Facebook Page:https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1000925224168484F Flair Shop (Festive Fans Merchandise)https://festivefanflair.myspreadshop.com/ 

Festive Fans Unite! (send us a message)The Festive Fans are feeling a little tired.  We have been woken up by a little one, relatively new to the world. Like watching any baby, it can be a little messy, unpredictable, and joyful.  Our sense of time must have disappeared completely — April 6th feels exactly like April 18th — but we have been operating on very little sleep.  So join us tonight, as we tend to the care of the very young nation of Bosnia-Herzegovina, a country that emerged from the war in the 1990s and is just an infant in country years. The rise of Bosnia-Herzegovina after the devastation of war was the birth of an independent nation — marked by struggle but filled with immense promise. Like a newborn, Bosnia-Herzegovina has been given the opportunity to grow, heal, and redefine its future. Visiting here for the podcast gives us encouragement. We can see the progress they are making, and how the different cultures can coexist. Through this episode’s film, Sabina K, we can see the struggles this new country faces in the post-war world. Since the 1990s, they’ve experienced war crimes and acts of vengeance. And yet, inspired by a true story and through Sabina’s character, we also see little glimpses of kindness among residents with ethnic and religious differences. In the midst of the dire circumstances framed in the story, hope still shines like the bright stars on a Christmas tree.  Understanding the Christmas season in Bosnia-Herzegovina brings us an awareness of its history. Traditions have been preserved despite historical upheaval. The scars of war are still visible, yet so is their determination to move forward. There is a blend of traditions — Bosniaks (mostly Muslim), Croats (mostly Catholic), and Serbs (mostly Orthodox). This diversity shapes Bosnia-Herzegovina today.  What may have once contributed to its violence now seems to be guiding Bosnia-Herzegovina toward a more unified and better future. In the end, our show is not just about observing foreign traditions—it is about understanding a country. Witnessing the gradual blending of its once-divided ethnic identities is like watching a fretful baby finally drift off to a peaceful sleep. The tension and unrest that once defined the nation is seeping away. The future for Bosnia-Herzegovina is shaped less by conflict and more by coexistence, and there is no better Christmas gift.  Although the past cannot be undone, this fragile peace gives us hope for a more harmonious tomorrow.Email Address:  [email protected]: @festivefans4F Playlist:https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6ccCbuBY0Yi7WAx6F0Gu8f?si=135ea2453ce645ce Facebook Page:https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1000925224168484F Flair Shop (Festive Fans Merchandise)https://festivefanflair.myspreadshop.com/ 

Festive Fans Unite! (send us a message)As we arrive, the snow falls softly over the Alps, blanketing the jagged peaks and pine-covered slopes. This is a place of such breathtaking winter scenery, it is like a living snow globe.  There is a chill in the air but, even more so, there is the hardy aroma of … melted cheese.  Yes, this episode the Festive Fans are visiting Switzerland, with its small mountain villages and wooden chalets glowing with light, it is a special place that always feels like Christmas. Switzerland is so picturesque, the whole country looks like the set of a Hallmark movie.  You can find twinkling lights, cozy cabins, and mountains that look like they are frosted in powdered sugar.  Outside, church bells ring throughout the valleys, and even the cows seem like they’re part of the holiday decor.However, as we learn from tonight's movie, The Very Last Christmas, there can be something unsettling about the breathtaking beauty of Switzerland. The Alps look serene, but the snow, mountains, and winter can also bring danger.  This same landscape that inspires awe can also be destructive.  We are cautioned not to be fooled by the peaceful winter scene—it’s a reminder that even the most beautiful places have threats, hidden beneath the surface.  The joy of the season may feel richer when set against the vast, humbling presence of the Alps.So, join us as we celebrate the Christmas customs and traditions of Switzerland, but also where we explore the incredible landscape.  The mountains are not only symbols of splendor, but also of respect. Avalanches, sudden and unstoppable, remind us that nature is never fully tamed.  This episode is a series of contrasts — of party and peril and mirth and menace.  The Festive Fans are on a festive journey, but nothing says “holiday cheer” like admiring a beautiful alpine slope… from a safe distance, preferably indoors, and while enjoying some Guetzli.  Email Address:  [email protected]: @festivefans4F Playlist:https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6ccCbuBY0Yi7WAx6F0Gu8f?si=135ea2453ce645ce Facebook Page:https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1000925224168484F Flair Shop (Festive Fans Merchandise)https://festivefanflair.myspreadshop.com/ 

Festive Fans Unite! (send us a message)Said the night wind to the Festive Fan"Want to go where I go?"An island in the sea, Festive Fan"Want to go where I go?"Witness Christmas, where it’s communistThey just keep it hidden from sightThey just keep it hidden from sightWow.  Spring has sprung.  The weather is warmer, the grass is greener, and two hairy bears have emerged from hibernation.  Yes, Mark and Bob are back and awake.  They are ready to travel on an empty stomach, but this podcast better serve up a location with some decent cuisine.  Well, the Gods have delivered, as we are off to a place with bold flavors from its Spanish, African, and Caribbean influences, and known for a famous sandwich filled with savory ham, Swiss cheese, pickles and mustard … yes, we are off to Cuba!  Did you know that this little island was the inspiration for the song Do You Hear What I Hear?  It may sound like an old classic carol, but it was inspired by the Cuban Missile Crisis of 1962.  At the time, the United States and the Soviet Union were locked in a dangerous confrontation over nuclear missiles discovered in Cuba. The world feared that the conflict could lead to a nuclear war, and the song was a written as a plea for peace.  In the song, the night wind tells a lamb about a star, the lamb tells a shepherd, and eventually a king learns about a child who will bring “goodness and light.”  It reflects on the Nativity, but this is a real example of how Cuba has played a central role in shaping world history.So, the Festive Fans are off this tiny communist nation to understand how it celebrates the holiday. Cuba has strong Catholic roots, but after the revolution in 1959, public celebrations of Christmas were prohibited.  Only after Pope John Paul II’s visit in 1998, Christmas was officially reinstated and Cubans were finally able to embrace the holiday again.  We also view the documentary Revolution Rent to explore modern-day Cuba through the journey of Cuban-American theater director Andy Señor Jr.  He returns to the country where his parents were exiled to stage the Broadway musical Rent on Christmas Eve.  The film follows putting on the stage production from auditions to opening night and offers a nuanced portrait of contemporary Cuban society.  Cuba.  So close and yet so far away.  We have experienced so much together -- the Revolution, the Bay of Pigs, the Cuban Missile Crisis, the Mariel Boatlift, and Elián González – and yet we still behave like two lovers in a spat, slamming our collective doors shut. Our breakup was loud and public, full of accusations and hurt feelings, and both sides walking away angry. Now, with our long, shared history, we have to settle with anguished glances and pining away for a nostalgic past. In fact, as we write this, we are contemplating another ill-timed attempt to get back together, convinced that if we just push hard enough, everything will somehow go back to the way it was. We still have a lingering sense that somehow our story as a couple isn’t finished. The passion may have cooled, but that jealousy, it still simmers.  Email Address:  [email protected]: @festivefans4F Playlist:https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6ccCbuBY0Yi7WAx6F0Gu8f?si=135ea2453ce645ce Facebook Page:https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1000925224168484F Flair Shop (Festive Fans Merchandise)https://festivefanflair.myspreadshop.com/ 

Festive Fans Unite! (send us a message)As we kick off the second half today, you might be thinking that it is nearly the end of February and we are still not done with the Christmas celebration. We know it’s been a little bit of time, but we really wanted to share the recording with those who weren’t able to attend. There was something electric about this year’s live show — the space, the stage, the lights, the crowd, the music — but what really transformed the night into something unforgettable was our special guests. We invited them to appear because of their celebrity status. We thought it would add excitement and prestige to our event.  We hoped that their presence would attract fans, but the moment they stepped on stage, everything changed.  What we didn’t expect was that their celebrity glow would fade into genuine warmth. The night became no longer about hosting celebrities.  When you listen to the interviews, you realize we that were connecting with some remarkable human beings. We think you should know more about them:Jackie Kostek is an anchor and reporter at CBS Chicago, covering a variety of topics for the CBS News Chicago morning show. She has had a lot of fun on the live Jump Start with Jackie segments – log rolling, roller-coaster riding, eating, drinking, dancing, skating, and getting to know many of the city’s new businesses and festivals. She also worked as the in-arena and digital host for the Chicago Blackhawks and was the weekend anchor and reporter at KTNV in Las Vegas. Jackie also produced episodes of PBS' national travel show, Family Travel with Colleen Kelly, and served as the Director of Photography for an independent documentary about online harassment. She received a Master’s Degree in Journalism from Columbia University in New York and a Bachelor’s in Journalism and American Studies from the University of Kansas. Darryl Postelnick is better known for his TikTok segments — “Cooking with Darryl” — where he is a social media influencer with more than 3 million followers. Darryl always enjoyed cooking, so his young daughter thought it would be fun to film him after he retired. Even though he is not a chef or never went to culinary school, his second video reached viral status. He became very popular with Gen Z and some attribute it to his dad energy and his approachable cooking style and vibrant online presence. Whatever the attraction, it has provided a second career for him.  He's got a cookbook called R U Kidding Me and even collaborated with Saugatuck Brewing Company on a beer called “Saugatuck R. U. Kidding Me IPA”, which just might be the reason the Festive Fans follow him.  The Maeberries are a Chicago-based music group that specializes in 50s, 60s, and 70s music. The group loves soul and folk music and enjoys playing well-known songs with a funky jazzy twist. They play at local bars and other events.  Kaylee Mae Hofman is the lead singer for the band.  In the end, we had our own Linus moment.  It wasn’t about the star power. What matters is the heart behind it. We experienced some real holiday magic at this year’s show. Because of our guests, this December night waEmail Address:  [email protected]: @festivefans4F Playlist:https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6ccCbuBY0Yi7WAx6F0Gu8f?si=135ea2453ce645ce Facebook Page:https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1000925224168484F Flair Shop (Festive Fans Merchandise)https://festivefanflair.myspreadshop.com/ 

Festive Fans Unite! (send us a message)Another two-part episode?  What’s next - a crossover podcast with “Deck Hallmark”?  Nope, we decided to start 2026 with big things.  First, we kicked off January with our super-stuffed England episodes filled with extras and special guests.  Now we are presenting our recent live Christmas event in audio form. We don’t want you to experience it secondhand, so we are trying to convey the gestures, reactions, and energy that you can’t see or feel.  Since we can’t come over to your homes to pantomime the chaos of a live environment, we are going to inject some comments through the show to help you know what’s happening.Imagine the ideal holiday event location. The Festive Foreign Film Fans Live Show unfolds in a nightclub where the air is buzzing with laughter and conversation.  The stage glows in saturated reds and greens.  At the center is a giant 4F logo and standing in front of it are your two seasoned hosts — looking a bit more weathered than their cartoon alter egos. Behind us are the Maeberries, a jazz band that swings through festive holiday standards. Off to one side sits a Santa throne — decked in Christmas lights — but a ready hot seat for our really popular and charming guests. The whole scene feels intimate yet electric, blending holiday hysteria with nightclub cool.Our Live Show is not like our podcast but more like a variety show. We don’t cover any movies or songs, although we do test the audience on information only gleaned from our past episodes.  The whole thing has the feel of a fever dream turned into a public spectacle.  On this night, we’re incredibly lucky to welcome two guests who aren’t just hugely popular, but fun and normal. They show up and share some incredible Christmas stories.  Jackie Kostek, a television news anchor, stays for the whole evening, appearing in another skit and joining us for a sing-a-long at the end of the show.  Darryl Postelnick has an amazing background and brings several of his books for prizes and personally signs each one for the winners.  They both made the night memorable.  It’s rare to find celebrities who are so generous with their time, especially at the busy holiday season.  We don’t take for granted how their presence elevated the entire show.This night features trivia and prizes, a surprise dance routine, and, along with the real music, some goofy songs, jingling bells, and two hosts whose material falls flat in the best way possible.  The whole room is in on the joke, creating a rare kind of holiday magic meets playful nonsense.  We just wish the world could be a little more like this more of the time.This show is the highlight of our Festive Fans year, and we hope you enjoy it and much as we did!   (Is Cousin Chad is still talking? … )Email Address:  [email protected]: @festivefans4F Playlist:https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6ccCbuBY0Yi7WAx6F0Gu8f?si=135ea2453ce645ce Facebook Page:https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1000925224168484F Flair Shop (Festive Fans Merchandise)https://festivefanflair.myspreadshop.com/ 

Festive Fans Unite! (send us a message)Hey, Festive Fans, let nothing ye dismay, we’re back with Part Two of our super-sized Festive Foreign Film Fans Special Royal English Christmas/New Year's Triple-Stuffed Podcast Episode Extravaganza!  Phew, if you think that’s a lot to say, just consider the exciting, action-packed show we’re describing.  It is a two-part journey across England and, along the way, we unwrap traditions old and new, share some of their Christmas music, eat Latvian piragi, and listen as our guests recall their own Christmas memories.  This episode is filled with real tidings of comfort and joy!  It is more stuffed than the man with the bag, and you know that’s what everybody’s talking about.  England has so much Yule merriment and festive atmosphere that we couldn’t fit it all into one show!  Come all ye faithful!  We have brought in some incredible people to create our audio content, so we don’t have to.  And, as loyal listeners know, we don’t give up the microphone lightly -- you have to pry it out of our chubby little fingers.  We’ve already heard from Adam Parker Sibun from the “Merry Britsmas” podcast.  He gave us some of the unique details we crave (thanks to his Nan for her crazy gift-giving ideas), but we’ve only just begun to appreciate the story of Christmas in England.  For today’s journey, we have Jack Ford, from the “Total Christmas” podcast.  Jack and his show are the inspiration for the “Festive Foreign Film Fans”, so you can blame him.  He has, well, a total knowledge of British Christmas and is excellent at creating a fun holiday agenda.  We also talk to Matt Fitzpatrick, who is currently the 22nd top ranked golfer in the world and one of the Top 5 golfers from England. So what does Matt know about Christmas?  Enough to recognize that “Die Hard” is a Christmas movie.  Plus, he is a Sheffield United fan.If you didn’t listen to Part One, let nothing ye dismay. What we explored last episode only built the foundation and set the stage for Part Two, where we now dive deeper into the sounds, customs, and curious details that bring an English Christmas to life. These Three Guests with Accents Are pretty special, providing us their own personal reflections. Through their stories, it’s no Silent Night as we hear how Christmas is experienced, remembered, and felt across the pond. We even find time to fit in our own choice for best British Christmas song and some royal trivia that may surprise even the most devoted Anglophile.So don’t un-deck the halls or pack away the holly just yet.  Welcome back to the next chapter of our cozy, classic English Christmas tale. Email Address:  [email protected]: @festivefans4F Playlist:https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6ccCbuBY0Yi7WAx6F0Gu8f?si=135ea2453ce645ce Facebook Page:https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1000925224168484F Flair Shop (Festive Fans Merchandise)https://festivefanflair.myspreadshop.com/ 

Festive Fans Unite! (send us a message)Wait, don’t think the holidays are over!  They don’t have to be.  It may be the end of the 12 Days of the Christmas, but the Festive Fans want to keep the party going, all year!  We are starting off 2026 with a visit to jolly old England, the granddaddy of the Christmas holiday.  It is so merry, we needed an expanded two-part episode, with special guests, extra movies, and more general celebration.  Just what we need for our post-Christmas blues!Can we think of an international location more Christmas cozy than Great Britain?  When we think of an idyllic holiday vision of carolers, crackling fires, and snow tapping at the window, what we are picturing is Victorian England.  We wanted to start the new year off here, because we consider it one of the preeminent Christmas places in the world. It is picturesque, with its candlelit churches, village greens, frost-softened mornings, and the pubs glowing with warmth. And while it may be the ideal backdrop to set the holiday mood, it is not without meaning, which lingers well beyond the parties, gifts, and meals. More importantly, it is Dickens, and his native land, who are mostly responsible for not only adding ghosts to the holiday (which we appreciate!), but also reimaging Christmas as a season of warmth, generosity, and redemption.  Ebenezer Scrooge showed us that moral responsibility to mankind is essential to a just society.  We saw this same spirit reflected again in England through the charitable efforts of Band Aid, when local musicians mobilized global attention in the 1980s to raise millions of dollars to combat world hunger during the Ethiopian famine. Like Scrooge’s experience, the efforts of Band Aid demonstrated how empathy can spark actual change.  These examples show how the English don’t just express the Christmas spirit; they personify it.Recall how Dickens encouraged readers to carry the spirit of compassion forward beyond the holidays.  He reminds us that generosity is not limited to a single season.  Focusing on these charitable lessons and their real-world impact is a powerful way to begin a new year.  As 2025 transitions into 2026, it provides us a valuable opportunity for personal reflection and motivation.  Starting the new year with a renewed commitment to purpose and social responsibility, sets a hopeful tone and can make the new year feel more purposeful and full of possibility.  So come join the Festive Fans over the next two episodes to celebrate and appreciate how England embodies the true spirit of Christmas through its history, literature, traditions and emphasis on compassion and goodwill.  No other place can deliver Christmas and bring it to life with such timeless charm. Email Address:  [email protected]: @festivefans4F Playlist:https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6ccCbuBY0Yi7WAx6F0Gu8f?si=135ea2453ce645ce Facebook Page:https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1000925224168484F Flair Shop (Festive Fans Merchandise)https://festivefanflair.myspreadshop.com/ 

Festive Fans Unite! (send us a message)Better late than never.  We missed our episode drop date by 10 days.  That’s what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown.  It’s so much fun packed into a few short weeks.  Plus, the way the Festive Fans pine away for this holiday all year, we have to squeeze the most out of our season.  We’ve barely had time to make our Christmas lists.  You know that anticipation can sometimes make things better by building excitement before the event actually arrives.  So now that this episode is finally dropping, it carries the weight of all that expectation, which should make it feel more rewarding and memorable. However, that’s not the case here.The Festive Fans visit Georgia this episode.  No, not that Peach State.  We are talking about the country that is framed by the snowcapped Caucasus Mountains and the warm shores of the Black Sea.  It is a place known for being at the crossroads of Eastern Europe and Western Asia.  We view only our second documentary in three years.  It explores another aspect of the Christmas commercial trade -- the transnational Christmas tree industry.  Despite it being the holiday season, we are still left at the end with the same feeling of angst.  This film is framed in the shadow of a child’s murder who we meet in the documentary.  It also tackles the socio-economic conditions between the working-class Georgians who risk their lives climbing trees to harvest pinecones and the upper-class Danes who buy them.  This financial dichotomy over the production of Christmas trees creates a strong sense of emotional overload. When the world outside is glowing with lights and songs about hope and joy, this stream of real-life drama is raw and cuts more deeply.  In this way, a sad documentary during Christmas doesn’t just tell a story—it intertwines with the season’s emotions.  Above all, this movie carries emotional depth, especially at this time of year.  While not pleasant or festive, it still is deeply human and part of the shared Christmas experience.  When the season is stripped down to its true essence, it can still be deeply spiritual and meaningful. So it is important during our celebrations, that we recognize that understanding, gratitude, and humility always lie at the heart of Christmas. Email Address:  [email protected]: @festivefans4F Playlist:https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6ccCbuBY0Yi7WAx6F0Gu8f?si=135ea2453ce645ce Facebook Page:https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1000925224168484F Flair Shop (Festive Fans Merchandise)https://festivefanflair.myspreadshop.com/ 

Festive Fans Unite! (send us a message)Working in Alaska in the 1980s was no place for the fainthearted. It demanded perseverance and fortitude.  Work began before dawn.  The tasks were repetitive, backbreaking, and physical. Bears wandered close enough that you could hear their breath in the dark, or if the boom on the ship knocked you overboard, they weren’t coming back for you.  A seasonal job in the Alaskan wilderness reshaped you in ways that you couldn’t anticipate.  It was raw, demanding, and difficult.  But you also learned what it meant to be strong—and to be truly, vibrantly alive.It was in this environment that the Festive Fans forged their personalities and became the true Christmas fans they are today.  For our special Thanksgiving episode, the boys return back to the Last Frontier to explore Christmas in this vast wilderness.  Alaska is the largest U.S. state and not contiguous to the lower 48 states.  It has impressive landscapes, towering mountain ranges, and expansive forests, tundra, and glaciers. As our favorite season approaches, Mark and Bob take a trip down memory lane to revisit a pivotal time in their lives that they spent in the pristine wilds of Alaska. Although not a festive foreign place, it still has that untamed feel that makes it both unique and awe-inspiring.  Alaska, with its breathtaking scenery, sweeping majestic mountains, ice-blue rivers, and dancing northern lights, is something sacred. Come join us as we reminisce on our time spent in this favorite state and discuss the 2020 Mel Gibson film “Fatman”.  At the same time that the lights begin to twinkle on our Christmas trees at home, we recall a place where the night sky was ablaze with stars illuminated by the midnight sun, no matter if you were watching from an oil rig or a fishing boat.  Our wish for Christmas is that Alaska forever remains this beacon of hope and promise, with its deep Indigenous heritage.  We want future generations to enjoy how we felt when we both stood on ground that seemed untouched, and embraced that fierce, unbroken, and wild freedom that Alaska offers to the young at heart.It is Thanksgiving 2025 today, and Mark and I are so grateful not only for our fans, but also for our shared experience in the rugged landscape of the 49th state.  This is another common element that we share in our soul, just like our love for movies and Christmas.  Alaska deserves the special callout we give it here and we hope you enjoy it.  Although not its own country, we still can honor its vastness and recognize how it serves as an irreplaceable gift to the world.  Alaska is that rare reminder of how the Earth once was, and how it still should be allowed to be. Email Address:  [email protected]: @festivefans4F Playlist:https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6ccCbuBY0Yi7WAx6F0Gu8f?si=135ea2453ce645ce Facebook Page:https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1000925224168484F Flair Shop (Festive Fans Merchandise)https://festivefanflair.myspreadshop.com/ 

Festive Fans Unite! (send us a message)For this episode, the Festive Fans start the show feeling a little down.  Our current political landscape in the States has Bob upset with so many in the country living in a constant state of anger.  Then we travel to Colombia, a country with a notorious reputation from a vicious drug trade.  The 1980s and 1990s saw the rise of the infamous drug cartels, whose illicit activities have shaped perceptions of the nation worldwide for years. We also watch a film about a young man living in a homeless shelter in Bogotá at the holidays who cannot escape the violence of the streets around him.  It all seems so depressing … and yet, it’s comforting. This may be our most Christmas-y show of all. In the midst of all the sadness, adversity and conflict, a familiar light is still there.  Focusing solely on Colombia’s negative past ignores its incredible transformation over the past three decades and its efforts to promote peace and stability. Today, Colombia is a symbol of recovery. It still has serious issues as we witness in Un Varon … and yet, it’s inspiring.  As the film portrays the poverty-stricken streets of Bogota, it reminds us of the pages of Dickens.  As we watch the efforts of Carlos with his androgynous features, skinny body and high voice, face the day-to-day business of survival, he is neither strong nor threatening.  We witness how much Carlos is hurting inside, and his sensitivity restores hope. Christmas looms and provides his only opportunity for happiness to spend the holiday with his sister and his incarcerated mother.  It occupies his thoughts. The specter of the joyful holiday is a reminder of what eludes Carlos and the other homeless teens around him.  It may seem cruel at first … and yet, it’s compassionate.The Christmas season offers a rare sense of peace. Just at a time when the world feels so angry and fragmented, we realize how the extraordinary power of Christmas reminds us of our shared humanity. It’s one of the few times of year when people from different backgrounds, beliefs, and opinions will share a collective sense of goodwill.  It distracts us from the harshness of the world.  As we see with Carlos, Christmas provides a connection and belonging and a focus on what truly matters. The emphasis on togetherness allows the season to heal the wounds caused by alienation. It may seem temporary … and yet, it endures.Christmas encourages us to imagine a better world. It invites us to reflect on the possibilities ahead. Compassion defines who we are and encourages forgiveness of others and of ourselves. The modern world may be defined by division, but Christmas offers us a real chance for union. It provides us a moment to reflect and to remember what unites us.  In a time when hardship, poverty and anger may feel endless, Christmas reminds us that warmth and joy will return.  In the end, the Fans realize that we must allow the spirit of Christmas to lift our hearts.  It is the only way to rediscover the best parts of ourselves that we often let stay hidden underneath the surface.Email Address:  [email protected]: @festivefans4F Playlist:https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6ccCbuBY0Yi7WAx6F0Gu8f?si=135ea2453ce645ce Facebook Page:https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1000925224168484F Flair Shop (Festive Fans Merchandise)https://festivefanflair.myspreadshop.com/ 

Festive Fans Unite! (send us a message)The Festive Fans end their Creepmas in October with a review of the 2021 film “The Advent Calendar” and a salute to Belgium.  We also speak with Sabine Janisela, a diplomat at the Latvian Embassy, who helps us on our Piragi journey, offering both official cultural knowledge along with her own personal experience. The "Advent Calendar" is a horror film about a mysterious wooden advent calendar that intertwines the coziness of Christmas with a sinister twist. Each door offers to satisfy your deepest wish — at a terrible cost. While the movie may be scary, Belgium is not.  It is only the size of the state of New Jersey, but it is surprisingly diverse with its Flemish, Walloon, and Brussels influences.  Belgium is like living in a fairy tale, with its cobblestone streets, Gothic churches, medieval castles, canals, and beers brewed by monks in ancient abbeys.  Along with the scent of chocolate and waffles in the air, you can’t help but raise a toast to this compact little country.  And speaking of drink, Belgium is a place where its rich beer tradition stretches back nearly a thousand years.  They brew more than 1,500 distinctly different beers.  Belgians have a deep cultural appreciation and reverence for beer, and the Festive Fans may have just died and gone to heaven, especially since this is also the birthplace of Christmas beers.  In Belgium, beer is an art form, and the Christmas beers—also known as “bières de Noël” or “kerstbier”—are their masterpieces. Traditionally brewed for the holiday season, these beers are stronger, richer, and more complex, just like us!They often have higher alcohol content and seasonal spices—like clove, cinnamon, nutmeg, and orange peel—to evoke the warmth needed for a winter’s night. The aroma alone recalls festive meals shared with family.  These rich, spiced brews embody the Belgian soul—rooted in history and brimming with craftsmanship. Why don’t you crack one open now, gather by the fire, and join us as we get a little spooky in our crossover celebration of Christmas with a little Halloween appreciation.Email Address:  [email protected]: @festivefans4F Playlist:https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6ccCbuBY0Yi7WAx6F0Gu8f?si=135ea2453ce645ce Facebook Page:https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1000925224168484F Flair Shop (Festive Fans Merchandise)https://festivefanflair.myspreadshop.com/ 

Festive Fans Unite! (send us a message)The Festive Fans are off to the “nicest place in the world”, a nation that looks like Christmas itself, with its pine forests, captivating snowfalls, and Hallmark worthy quaint little towns.  The people there are so friendly that the place is bursting with joy.  They even claim Santa as an official citizen.  Yes, that’s right, we are off to our neighbor to the north, Canada, to explore the other parts of the country outside of Quebec.  There’s a certain gentleness to it, a politeness that feels downright festive. Even their flag is red and white.It’s also ironic that we are watching the Canadian film Black Christmas, one of the first and most influential slasher films ever made.  It is directed by Bob Clark, the same filmmaker who also gave the world another Christmas classic, A Christmas Story.  In 1974, Clark made this stylish horror film about a killer stalking a sorority house during the holidays. It introduced elements that later became popular tropes likes showing the point-of-view of the killer, featuring a male stalker targeting young women with the “final girl” left who is strong and defiant, and the famous line that the "calls are coming from inside the house".  In addition, it has a chilling ambiguous ending where the killer's identity and motive are left unknown. And it takes place in Canada — the unlikeliest backdrop for yuletide joy and terror.  It is so at odds with the cozy cheer of the host country, but it is also deeply Canadian.  There’s something perfectly absurd about both films being shot in a country known globally for its niceness.  Black Christmas is the first of our two “Creepmas in October” films, because there’s something irresistibly entertaining about Christmas horror movies.  After a year of mostly feel-good stories, the Festive Fans like to turn the season of goodwill on its head with a refreshing scary twist.  We want some ordinary holiday cheer mixed with dark humor and creeping dread. From yuletide laughter to bloodcurdling screams, it can feel a bit cathartic. Watching Black Christmas and its ilk feels a bit like sneaking a bite of moose tongue at the holiday table— shocking, nauseating, but oddly satisfying.  Join us now in the land of Hallmark Christmas movies with charming main streets and crazed killers, snowy landscapes and silent stalkers. We explore this land of Christmas to learn about its festive customs and holidays because Canadians are stereotyped for their generosity — qualities that echo the heart of the holiday season.  It is a country that either feels like Christmas year-round or where holiday cheer goes to die.  You decide.Email Address:  [email protected]: @festivefans4F Playlist:https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6ccCbuBY0Yi7WAx6F0Gu8f?si=135ea2453ce645ce Facebook Page:https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1000925224168484F Flair Shop (Festive Fans Merchandise)https://festivefanflair.myspreadshop.com/ 

Festive Fans Unite! (send us a message)The Festive Fans take a thoughtful and enlightening journey to South Africa this episode to discover Christmas in a country still scarred by apartheid.  We tend to overlook how South Africa is a place of extraordinary beauty — with its Table Mountain, Kruger National Park, pristine beaches, and a rich array of wildlife.  Instead, we define it by its painful past.  By doing so, we discount this rich and diverse nation with 11 official languages and strong ethnic and cultural traditions.  The movie Liewe Kersfeesvader is a perfect reflection of South Africa.  While on its surface, the story may seem grim, with its themes of dysfuction, death, and mental illness.  However, what it hides is a soulful and uplifting story about the strength of family and self-discovery, just like the recent history of South Africa itself.  It is a film that reminds us how even with so much chaos in the world, we should never let our dreams be diminished by our flawed humanity.  Instead, the Festive Fans embrace and words the vision of Nelson Mandala, the anti-apartheid South African activist who was imprisoned for 27 years and who would later become the country's first black head of state and democratically elected president upon his release.  Mandela said that remembering the past is not about bitterness, but it opens a path to healing.  We don’t want to ignore the painful chapter of apartheid, but we also don’t want to dwell on it.  Christmas is a holiday that offers the promise of peace and the longing for a more just and generous world, and nothing proves this more than modern South Africa.  Few nations have faced such a deep historical trauma and still found a way to seek healing. This nation is a model for how to confront and work toward reconciliation, even with serious economic and social challenges.  It is not perfect, the deep inequality in South Africa still remains a challenge today, but it is trying.  South Africa’s transition to democracy and advocacy for human rights has inspired other nations.In his first Christmas message after his release, Mandela spoke of the profound joy of spending the day without being a fugitive.  He talked about all of the other prisoners and detainees still torn from their families, urging South Africans to extend compassion, and describing the possibility of renewal, unity and a better future for the country.  This perspective is inspiring. The healing power of Christmas should last for more than just one festive day.  South Africa is a reminder that with love and kindness, even after years of cruelty and despair, communities can rebuild, families can reunite, and light will return.  Mandala explicitly connected Christmas to the broader political shifts going on in his country.  His voice invites us all — in South Africa and beyond — to let Christmas renew our courage to fight injustice and to recognize that our differences are a source of strength rather than conflict.  Christmas in South Africa is a living testimony that even in places with a dark and ugly history, light can break through, and hope can be reborn. This is a message we all can celebrate Email Address:  [email protected]: @festivefans4F Playlist:https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6ccCbuBY0Yi7WAx6F0Gu8f?si=135ea2453ce645ce Facebook Page:https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1000925224168484F Flair Shop (Festive Fans Merchandise)https://festivefanflair.myspreadshop.com/ 

Festive Fans Unite! (send us a message)So this episode is late.  The Festive Fans had to attend a family celebration and a memorable party, but it was not Christmas.  It was a wedding, an event that is surprisingly similar to our favorite holiday.  They are both bright, warm, and full of promise.  I thought about this while sitting on a beach in the dark, meditating about life, in the moonlit shadow of a beautiful Chicago skyline. Also, I considered how a tuxedo was never meant to be worn in the sand.  I sat there, half-buried in the beach, my shorts full of wet grit, staring at the horizon as the sun made its slow entrance.  I was thinking about how special times can create joy in our ordinary lives.  We crave these common rituals that bind us together, because they heighten our emotions when something special is taking place.  Like the day after Christmas, the morning after a wedding has the same touch of melancholy.  I felt a bit sad, but also was filled with gratitude and reflection, because the wedding event was over.  In my nostalgic funk, I also began to think about tonight’s movie, Bodies at Rest.  It is from 2019, but it feels like a retro 1980s thriller.  The story begins on a stormy Christmas Eve, when an armed force takes over a public facility to help cover for one of its gang, who recently committed a crime.  Now this may sound a lot like the premise for Die Hard 2, but it is instead a Chinese action flick, filmed in Hong Kong, and directed by the same Renny Harlin.  It features bad guys wearing Santa, Elf, and Rudolph masks, and a hero pathologist with the seasonally appropriate name of Nick.My musings brought me full circle to Hong Kong, a region that offers the same enchantment of Christmas, with how it combines tradition and modernity together. It's a place that dazzles with its brilliant glow.  Hong Kong has experienced a lot in the past 25 years when it transferred to China after 156 years of British rule. I considered all of this as I watched the sun crawl over the horizon in my disheveled outfit.  In the same way that the day after Christmas and the day after a wedding are not about endings, neither was the handover of Hong Kong.  While celebrations shine brightly for a time, the days that follow can feel empty and quiet when our memories shift from the present into the past. But, like a fragile ornament, if handled with care, the new times will endure and become stronger, lasting, and real.Email Address:  [email protected]: @festivefans4F Playlist:https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6ccCbuBY0Yi7WAx6F0Gu8f?si=135ea2453ce645ce Facebook Page:https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1000925224168484F Flair Shop (Festive Fans Merchandise)https://festivefanflair.myspreadshop.com/ 

Festive Fans Unite! (send us a message)We thought we could make a joke about what the Festive Fans have in common with this episode’s country.  We like to say it’s because we are tall and long, and we were surprised when our wives agreed, but they said we are tall on appetite and long on belt size.  Ha!  Well, it’s no joking matter, we are off to celebrate in the literal spine of South America – Chile!  It’s a land of beautiful contradictions—long but narrow, with icy glaciers and blazing deserts, where you can ski and surf on the same day.  It’s shaped like a candy cane and sparkles with as many stars as a Christmas tree.  Despite being the Gateway to the Antarctic, Christmas in Chile means sun, surf, and cold cola de mono.  We also review a Chilean movie from 2009 called La Nana, a film that reminds us of the essence of Christmas in its own quiet way.  It carries the spirit of the season hidden inside its narrative, waiting for the audience to realize its warmth.  It may not meet the strict standards of a Christmas movie, but it has all of the elements we associate with the holiday season.  It’s an interesting tale of hope, redemption, and love. In the end, we love how Chile strives to be different. They don’t say "Feliz Navidad" which is heard throughout the Spanish-speaking countries. The traditional Chilean Christmas greeting is "Felices Pascuas" which also means Easter in Spanish. Go figure.  Also Santa Claus is known as Papa Noel throughout most of Latin America, but he is uniquely known as Viejito Pascuero in Chile. Since Christmas is called "Pascua" in Chile, they called him "Pacuero,” which translates to Old Man Christmas.  Even the holiday food is exceptional.  Pan de Pascua is a fruitcake that people actually want to eat.   Come with us now to discover how Chile is a vibrant fusion of different cultures and traditions — Indigenous roots, Spanish culture, and European influences. This just adds to the richness and spice that makes the holiday season feel magical.  It influences the food and the music and gives Christmas in Chile its own unique flavor.Email Address:  [email protected]: @festivefans4F Playlist:https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6ccCbuBY0Yi7WAx6F0Gu8f?si=135ea2453ce645ce Facebook Page:https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1000925224168484F Flair Shop (Festive Fans Merchandise)https://festivefanflair.myspreadshop.com/ 

Festive Fans Unite! (send us a message)The Festive Fans decided to trek northeast to Greenland to see what the fuss was about.  We found an incredible place the land of the Vikings, filled with towering icebergs, spectacular fjords, incredible wildlife, and the Northern Lights.  OK, so now we get it.  We also watched a Christmas film called Krudt and Kaerlighed (Gunpowder and Love) from 2019, we learned about some of their favorite holiday traditions, and we discovered a spotty history with the U.S., and maybe the reason why the Greenlanders aren’t so enthused with our severe case of the gimmes.  We realize, it’s not easy being Greenland:It's Not Easy Being Greenland (to the tune of “Bein’ Green”)It’s not that easy being Greenland,ice and snow is pretty much only what we have,and then the U.S. comes and they want to take, or possess or own us or make us the fifty-first state like thatIts not easy being Greenland,When you were not planning to be offered up for sale,But now we’re considered to be “prime real estate”,with flashy elements and minerals That now make you desirablebut Greenland’s what you are,and you’re happily cold and friendly-likeand Greenland is home to glaciersthe landof the Vikings and lit by the northern lightsWhen Greenland is all you want to beIt can make you wonder why Why change it why change it We are GreenlandAnd we do finewe are Danish ruledAnd we know it’s what we want to beEmail Address:  [email protected]: @festivefans4F Playlist:https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6ccCbuBY0Yi7WAx6F0Gu8f?si=135ea2453ce645ce Facebook Page:https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1000925224168484F Flair Shop (Festive Fans Merchandise)https://festivefanflair.myspreadshop.com/ 

Festive Fans Unite! (send us a message)As the wives of the Festive Fans know, the best Christmas gifts sometimes come in small packages.  The same can be said of this episode’s location -- Luxembourg.  This mini country is often overlooked and forgotten, as it is wedged in between Belgium, France, and Germany.  However, most Luxembourg residents are trilingual and they enjoy a multicultural history.  Plus, although it may be tiny, Luxembourg is one of Europe’s richest countries. We share a memorable visit there as Luxembourg provides a festive backdrop of dense forests, fairy-tale castles and cobblestone streets winding through charming little towns.  We also experience a good old-fashioned ghost story.  As described in the classic holiday song “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year,” there is an old tradition of telling “scary ghost stories” at Christmas.  This is a nod to a forgotten practice once common in Victorian England.  The Yuletide season, as we know, is often a time for looking back, reevaluating life, and making amends—which is a perfect time for a ghost story.  Winter was considered a cold, dark and spooky season, to be enjoyed only by being indoors near a roaring fire, listening to the howling winds, and trying to scare the wits out of each other.  In the movie Les Ames de Papier, Luxembourg radiates a cozy warmth that is truly magical, matched only by the supernatural elements of this film. It’s a familiar redemption story that feels a lot like A Christmas Carol.  Paul is a professional obituary writer, who is haunted by his wife’s death. He is visited by the dead husband of the woman he is falling in love with, and this ghostly encounter pushes him to deal with his own unresolved grief.  So come with us now, on this haunted adventure to an elegant place where joy shouldn’t be measured by its size alone.Email Address:  [email protected]: @festivefans4F Playlist:https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6ccCbuBY0Yi7WAx6F0Gu8f?si=135ea2453ce645ce Facebook Page:https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1000925224168484F Flair Shop (Festive Fans Merchandise)https://festivefanflair.myspreadshop.com/ 

Festive Fans Unite! (send us a message)And so it begins … in Estonia! We kick off the Festive Fans new season in this small but mighty Eastern European country.  Estonia is a captivating place with considerable natural assets, and, as Mark reminds us, feminine beauty.  Just ask him to name five models from there.  It is no wonder that our film addresses Estonians deep respect for the outdoors.  This is one of the most forested countries in Europe, with over half of its land covered in dense woods, scenic coastlines, and well-preserved natural areas.  The best journeys often begin in the most unexpected places, so Estonia is the perfect location to launch our third season.  This location not only sports medieval streets and ancient castles, but it is a cutting-edge technology hub.  The blend of old world and modern technology is a lot like the Festive Fans – two senior guys who may have stumbled into a recording studio looking for the bathroom.  Our new season provides us fresh ideas and possibilities.  We want it to be a lot like Estonia – compact yet bold, and familiar but full of surprises.  Estonia, despite its size, has reinvented itself since regaining independence in the 1990s.  There is a sense of ambition and entrepreneurship there.  Despite our limited niche, we plan to embrace the scrappy, can-do spirit of Estonia and apply it to our podcast.  We will adopt that Estonian charm and love for surroundings, as we take you along on our yuletide adventures to those always curious but less explored places...  Let's have a wild ride! Email Address:  [email protected]: @festivefans4F Playlist:https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6ccCbuBY0Yi7WAx6F0Gu8f?si=135ea2453ce645ce Facebook Page:https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1000925224168484F Flair Shop (Festive Fans Merchandise)https://festivefanflair.myspreadshop.com/ 

Festive Fans Unite! (send us a message)Let’s face it, the Festive Fans have willingly talked about foreign Christmas movies twice a month for two years.  You might think that is celebration enough, and you would be right.  It definitely should be, but it’s absolutely not.  Because we also need to have an awards show, of course.  It has to be an over-the-top, completely unnecessary, gloriously self-congratulatory event at a local casual dining location to really capture the true essence of the holiday— serving, dining, and communal celebration.  And trust me, this is all better than the Triple Dipper…Our podcast awards show is not just for ceremony, it’s our therapy. We want to provide recognition to the individuals, the places, and the traditions that have entertained us all year. They have given us inventive storytelling, emotional depth, and festive spirit, so we want to get these films needed attention. Great stories don’t come with borders. They prove to us that the Christmas spirit transcends language. So yes, we have rolled out the red carpet. Let’s celebrate the stories that have opened our eyes to unfamiliar landscapes, unique traditions, and universal emotions.  They help us to understand others, and, in turn, we better understand ourselves.  In the end, Christmas films are a reflection of our best selves — kind, joyful, and connected.  Because in a world full of distractions, we want to add more noise.  Let’s give them all a standing ovation.  Email Address:  [email protected]: @festivefans4F Playlist:https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6ccCbuBY0Yi7WAx6F0Gu8f?si=135ea2453ce645ce Facebook Page:https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1000925224168484F Flair Shop (Festive Fans Merchandise)https://festivefanflair.myspreadshop.com/ 

Festive Fans Unite! (send us a message)We’re sizzling all the way into a Festive Fans milestone moment — it’s our two-year anniversary and we’re inviting you to join the celebration!  For 50 episodes, we've been traveling the globe and unwrapping the world’s best gifts -- Christmas movies, music, and memories found in so many different places.  We have visited nearly every continent and observed the unique traditions and customs found in other countries. It’s heartwarming to realize how, despite our language barriers and cultural differences, we all still enjoy a festive connection and share a little holiday magic, be it delivered by a saint, a goat, a witch, 3 Kings, or a log.  After two years, listeners should know that being a Festive Fan requires more than just curiosity.  Whether you've been with us from the start or just jumped aboard recently, we don’t believe the Christmas spirit is limited to one specific season.  You can always find time to share joy, wonder, and generosity throughout the year.  In a society that likes to highlight those unfortunate traits that set us apart, Festive Foreign Film Fans offers a welcome alternative.  Our podcast is a window into the colorful history and vibrant experiences of other cultures.  Knowledge provides the bridges we need to cross over our perceived divides of race, nationality, religion, and politics.  By embracing and understanding our foreign neighbors, we can focus on finding common ground instead of obsessing over our differences.  As Festive Fans, we should all feel a little more human together.This is the true reason for our celebration.  So, grab an El Presidente Margarita and raise a toast to the festive stories, laughter, and community that we have enjoyed for these two wonderful years. And get ready for Season Three.  We are still going strong and the excitement is just starting to build!Email Address:  [email protected]: @festivefans4F Playlist:https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6ccCbuBY0Yi7WAx6F0Gu8f?si=135ea2453ce645ce Facebook Page:https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1000925224168484F Flair Shop (Festive Fans Merchandise)https://festivefanflair.myspreadshop.com/ 

Festive Fans Unite! (send us a message)In the waning days of the old year, when the sun turned hot and the wind warm, there came word from the South Country. It was said that the Fellowship of the Festive Fans had a mission in the land of the Middle Earth. A spiritual quest was formed to find the Kiwi Christmas.Could it be there, not in the cold hearts of the orcs and the trolls, but in the ordinary folk in the country and the cities?  Is it absent, scattered like starlight across the sea, faded in the sad and meager lives like the weary world we see in the moving picture called Christmas? The festive group sets out from a small and stunning hamlet, nestled between the misted ranges and the blue hush of the Pacific. The sun is high and the grass is green in Oceania, not like the world above with its snow and shoveling.  What is Christmas in this land?  Does it have its own songs and laughter, along with its long and golden evenings?Along the journey, there are ancient ferns and plants here with many rivers that whisper of old magic. There are no icicles, no frosty panes — only fish grilled hangi-style and sweet wine. We travel to the roadstops, strange but beautiful places with names like Queenstown and Auckland, and the companions are bewildered. There are no wreaths, no sleighbells, no reindeer. Only sunburn, barbecues, sausages, and Snoopy’s Christmas. We ask the same question: “Have you seen Christmas here?” At last, the company arrives at a high hill above the Bay of Islands, where an old pohutukawa blooms with crimson fire.  It is the place where the first Christmas mass was celebrated.   The tree stands watch, its bark gnarled with age and memory. Beneath it, is a message, spoken not with tongue, but with the wind and sea, and in a voice as deep as midwinter. “You seek Christmas,” we all hear, though no voice speaks. “Know that men carry it with them. You speak as though Christmas lives only in a wintry place, with its snow-laden songs.  But here, it wears jandals and is found in the barbecue smoke. It dances in the eyes of tamariki leaping through sprinklers.  It is summer-born, and it lives in true hope and kindness, no matter the location."And so, after this episode, the circle is no longer sad for the plight of the family in Christmas.  We do not search any longer, we are knowing.  Christmas is found in New Zealand, and not with traditional images of snowmen, skating, and fireplaces.  Instead, it lives with blue skies, beaches and the sunlight borne by its residents to the ends of the Middle Earth.  And lo!  It is good, especially for a 50th episode!Email Address:  [email protected]: @festivefans4F Playlist:https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6ccCbuBY0Yi7WAx6F0Gu8f?si=135ea2453ce645ce Facebook Page:https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1000925224168484F Flair Shop (Festive Fans Merchandise)https://festivefanflair.myspreadshop.com/ 

Festive Fans Unite! (send us a message)The Festive Fans take this episode to Ethiopia to answer that age-old question: “Do They Know It’s Christmas?”  Well, yes they do.  In fact, it’s a lot different than what you might imagine.  They like fasting, then eating, then playing a competitive field hockey game played like medieval combat.  It’s an ancient tradition carried on now with neighbor against neighbor or town against town.  Typically, it is played by men only, and it is supposed to be the game that the shepherds played the night that Jesus was born – “allegedly”.  Oh, and for Christmas, Ethiopians will dress in white.  And it’s not on December 25th, it’s on January 7, according to the calendar of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church.  So, they do know how to celebrate.  In fact, they spend forty-three days getting ready.  Before all the feasting begins, they must fast to be physically and spiritually ready for the big event.  In Ethiopia, Christmas isn't just a holiday—it’s a full-body experience – and they avoid eating meat, dairy, or animal products in those days leading up to Christmas. It is called the Fast of the Prophets.When the families do gather to eat, they enjoy doro wat (spicy chicken stew), eaten with injera (a sourdough flatbread).  Someone will also usually butcher a goat in their backyard, which is another holiday custom.  Although, you won’t learn any of this from our featured film Crumbs, a post-apocalyptic futuristic sci-fi adventure featuring an angry Santa.  It may be avant-garde.  It may be alternative.  It may be independent.  You decide, but it’s just not festive. We hope our visit here in 2025 may change some perceptions.  Too often, Ethiopia and Christmas are associated with the Band Aid song.  It may seem patronizing, culturally insensitive, or overly simplistic today, but let’s give it a break.  We know that the title of the song — Do They Know It’s Christmas? – may feel condescending.  Obviously, as Ethiopia is home to some of the oldest Christian traditions in the world, of course they know about Christmas.  However, this question is rhetorical.  It’s about how, at that time, with so many suffering from extreme hunger, whether anyone would feel that it’s Christmas. The song isn’t about questioning Ethiopian faith; it’s challenging how everyone else can celebrate in comfort while the Ethiopians were facing a natural disaster and a horrible famine, compounded by war, displacement, and logistical collapse. International aid was desperately needed and although the lyrics may seem awkward today, they did shock the world into awareness and action.  The song wasn’t written to teach about geography or theology. It was written to raise money for food aid and medical supplies, and it worked tremendously.  So let’s put the past aside.  Come enjoy a trip to celebrate a beautiful country that is, at times, vibrant, messy, joyful and holy, but always with a big heart and a proud heritage.  Email Address:  [email protected]: @festivefans4F Playlist:https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6ccCbuBY0Yi7WAx6F0Gu8f?si=135ea2453ce645ce Facebook Page:https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1000925224168484F Flair Shop (Festive Fans Merchandise)https://festivefanflair.myspreadshop.com/ 

Festive Fans Unite! (send us a message)Join the Festive Fans for a little Pura Vida Christmas!  Tonight’s country runs on this magical motto.  After two years, we are finally making our way to Central America.  Our first stop?  We visit the beautiful, lush country of Costa Rica.  We promise that everything about it will bring a smile to your face, including our featured film from 2024, Paradise Falls:  A Christmas Story.  It’s a festive tale filled with dreams, wishes, ghosts, and a donkey … you know, just a classic Christmas story.  And don’t be fooled by their “pure life” slogan -- that doesn’t mean chill.  Costa Rica has an incredibly diverse landscape filled with waterfalls, volcanoes, and a rainforest full of howler monkeys, sloths and coatis, all packed into a country that's smaller than West Virginia.  “Ticos” know how to turn up the holiday spirit.  They may not have snow here, but there is plenty of sunshine.  Christmas may be warm, but they know how to party, with rodeos, bull runs, and lots of tamales. Making tamales is a social event. Families gather in assembly lines to wrap them in banana leaves, stuffing them with pork, rice, and vegetables. It’s festive and chaotic, and a great way to bond.You’ll want to pack your surfboard and hiking shoes for this trip, but make sure your wrapping paper is recyclable and your gifts are sustainable.  Costa Ricans pride themselves in being eco-friendly.   Instead of a white Christmas for this show, we'll make it a green one.  And don’t forget to leave some coffee out for Santa.  Email Address:  [email protected]: @festivefans4F Playlist:https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6ccCbuBY0Yi7WAx6F0Gu8f?si=135ea2453ce645ce Facebook Page:https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1000925224168484F Flair Shop (Festive Fans Merchandise)https://festivefanflair.myspreadshop.com/ 

Festive Fans Unite! (send us a message)The Festive Fans are on spring break, so we are veering off our main road to take  a new scenic route.  Instead of exploring a foreign country this episode, we are setting the way back machine 65 years to a magical time of those grand scale, over the top, larger than life films, with a literal army of extras and actors who don’t just act—they command the screen. We are instantly being transported back to Ancient Rome to witness the Biblical drama of Ben Hur.  Why, you might wonder, has your favorite podcast abandoned its Christmas pretense to tackle this epic Hollywood classic -- trading in snow and boots for sandals and capes?  Well, while we love our cookies and eggnog, there are still times when we crave a jellybean or a Cadbury egg.  So, we have set off on a seasonal side quest to learn about the pastel fever dream that is spring’s answer to Christmas – yes, we are talking about Easter!  It’s still festive, full of sugar, and a good holiday-themed excuse to listen to ourselves talk. Think of it less like changing discussion topics and more like taking a holiday from our holiday... to talk about another holiday!So, set down your bunny tail, grab a Peep and let’s kick back to enjoy the heavy eyeliner, dramatic pauses, and some wacky foreign Easter customs.  Ze smelten de Paashaas!Email Address:  [email protected]: @festivefans4F Playlist:https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6ccCbuBY0Yi7WAx6F0Gu8f?si=135ea2453ce645ce Facebook Page:https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1000925224168484F Flair Shop (Festive Fans Merchandise)https://festivefanflair.myspreadshop.com/ 

Festive Fans Unite! (send us a message)It’s time to grab all your ex-husbands and wives, strip down, and head for the sauna as Christmas is about to get messy.  The Festive Fans are traveling to the Christmas capital of the world this episode – Germany!  We are off to the original home to some of our most cherished holiday traditions.  Plus, as an extra bonus, we get to learn a lot about St. Martin (the patron saint of Germany) and his special day, so put that in your old shillelagh and smoke it, Saint Patrick.  Join us as we explore a country blessed with spectacular scenery, historic and inviting villages, castles, and, most importantly, giant steins of beer.  This is a really fun episode with a good movie, a great country, lots of authentic Christmas origins and a holiday song that keeps it all in perspective — Max Raabe’s “The Perfect Christmas Moment” from 2017, where he sings about just lazing around for the holidays. With Christmas markets, German potato salad (hot and cold), Krampus, and more … what more could you want for the start of spring?  Email Address:  [email protected]: @festivefans4F Playlist:https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6ccCbuBY0Yi7WAx6F0Gu8f?si=135ea2453ce645ce Facebook Page:https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1000925224168484F Flair Shop (Festive Fans Merchandise)https://festivefanflair.myspreadshop.com/ 

Festive Fans Unite! (send us a message)A talking dog?  A racing turtle?  Pizza with ashes?  A one-eyed bald man? What does this all have to do with Christmas?  Find out this episode as we head out to one of the most biodiverse countries in the world to take on the Solar System or the Del Solar System.  From the Andes Mountains to the Amazon Rainforest, it is Christmas Eve in Peru -- a place with a colorful history and a fascinating civilization -- and the Festive Fans want to know how they celebrate.  Grab a hot chocolate and a piece of Paneton, slather it with butter, and settle down for a spirited evening at a home in Lima where an extended family is gathering for the holiday.  There will be fireworks, and not just at midnight.  Based on a popular play, El sistema solar is a Santa sack filled with outrageous lies, an intra-family love triangle, and shocking revelations, and that’s all before dinner is served. Come join us on an intriguing multicultural trip to one of the most culturally complex countries in the world.  You get to learn how to say Merry Christmas in Quechuan and plant a flag on the moon!Email Address:  [email protected]: @festivefans4F Playlist:https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6ccCbuBY0Yi7WAx6F0Gu8f?si=135ea2453ce645ce Facebook Page:https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1000925224168484F Flair Shop (Festive Fans Merchandise)https://festivefanflair.myspreadshop.com/ 

Festive Fans Unite! (send us a message)When a movie is titled “?”, what is it called?  Is it the symbol?  Is it the words “question mark”? Or, is it just the desire for knowledge and answers?  It is this and other questions that Festive Fans encounter on a visit to explore the rich vibrancy of the world’s largest island nation -- Indonesia.  We review a complicated film that has violence, anger, and prejudice, but also displays compassion, faith and brotherhood -- much like the country itself.  The Festive Fans discover many such contradictions in this land of volcanos and earthquakes, in a place where you can find the true spirit of Christmas among the world’s largest Muslim population.  The movie is a challenging story for holiday viewing.  It is based on real-life events and without a happy ending.  It is a fair examination of human frailties and the stress of different religions living together in a tightly-knit community.  ? presents an honest assessment of the multi-cultural Indonesian society with its more than 245 million citizens and over 17,000 islands.  But don’t despair, we also enjoy their unique Christmas traditions, music and culinary delights!Email Address:  [email protected]: @festivefans4F Playlist:https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6ccCbuBY0Yi7WAx6F0Gu8f?si=135ea2453ce645ce Facebook Page:https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1000925224168484F Flair Shop (Festive Fans Merchandise)https://festivefanflair.myspreadshop.com/ 

Festive Fans Unite! (send us a message)The Festive Fans are travelling this episode to a locale that is not known as being either festive or much of a Christmas fan, but it is the cradle of civilization. It is the birthplace of the first laws, written language, rich history and archaeological sites.  It is Iraq -- a country that the U.S. has been fighting for more than three decades.  However, like the mythic Hatfield and McCoy feuding families, we often forget what initially led us down this path of combat.  It all started back in 1990, when Iraq's dictator, Saddam Hussein, invaded its neighbor Kuwait to seize its oil reserves. The United States led a coalition of countries and liberated Kuwait in less than 40 days.  The simmering dispute with Saddam Hussein continued into the 2000s. After September 11, 2001, President George W. Bush was convinced that Saddam Hussan was behind the terrorist attacks and falsely believed he was developing weapons of mass destruction.  In March 2003, U.S. forces invaded Iraq vowing to destroy the weapons and end Saddam Hussein’s rule. We did topple Saddam Hussein, but only after spending $800 billion, and sacrificing the lives of 4,500 Americans and over 100,000 Iraqis. The long shadow of the invasion still looms over our relations with Iraq today, twenty years later.Our effort here is simple.  We want to get beyond the bad feelings created through decades of war and learn how, if it all, Christmas is celebrated in Iraq.  We review a short film called Santa Claus in Baghdad from 2008, which is a modern Middle Eastern take on O. Henry's Gift of the Magi.  The storyline is interesting, but with non-Iraqi actors, it does raise the question of how accurate it depicts modern day Iraq.  We also learn of the Assyrian Christians who have lived in this area for 6,000 years. They have faced consistent persecution for centuries but are still active in modern day Iraq with Christmas trees and Santa Claus.  Join us now as we embark on a journey through history and time to a land of expansive deserts, snow-covered mountains, and charming villages.  We all may still be recovering from years of conflict, but we can assist with the healing.  Email Address:  [email protected]: @festivefans4F Playlist:https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6ccCbuBY0Yi7WAx6F0Gu8f?si=135ea2453ce645ce Facebook Page:https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1000925224168484F Flair Shop (Festive Fans Merchandise)https://festivefanflair.myspreadshop.com/ 

Festive Fans Unite! (send us a message)The Festive Fans get knocked down by the stunning beauty of Latvia but get up again to enjoy the infectious spirit and irresistible charm of the 2022 film Circenisa Ziemassvetki.  We travel to the Baltic region this episode to explore a place we knew little about beforehand, a fact but that was never going to keep us down.  Latvia is Eastern Europe's best kept little secret -- with its Medieval architecture and castles, cobblestoned streets, sandy beaches, and lush forests.  It has a rich cultural history of singing, dancing, and feasting for the holidays.  It is easy to appreciate how such an appealing location can produce a movie brimming with true joy and a touch of real magic. It has the vital elements we require in our epic Christmas classics -- bank robbery, prison, and semi-pro hockey.  Plus, Bruno Circenis is the iconic character we need today.  He inspires us to believe that a bit of Santa Claus lives in all of us. This is a film to remind us of the good times and a film to remind of the better times.  So grab whatever you need -- a whiskey drink or a vodka drink -- and gather around to hear a story so entertaining, it was the most watched film during the Christmas season in Latvia and Sony Pictures has bought the rights for a remake.   And just so you know, afterward we'll be singin' when we're winnin' Danny Boy. Email Address:  [email protected]: @festivefans4F Playlist:https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6ccCbuBY0Yi7WAx6F0Gu8f?si=135ea2453ce645ce Facebook Page:https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1000925224168484F Flair Shop (Festive Fans Merchandise)https://festivefanflair.myspreadshop.com/ 

Festive Fans Unite! (send us a message)2025 kicks off in a big way with a big country. We travel this episode to one of the cradles of civilization.  It’s a place with a rich history and a diverse geography.  Considered to be one of the four exceptional civilizations, it has nearly 18% of the world population, spans the equivalent of five time zones, and borders fourteen countries.  We are exploring the People’s Republic of China!  This is an ancient culture that has only recently begun to recognize Christmas in the last few decades, and yet China manufactures more than two thirds of the Christmas decorations in the world.  We discover Yiwu in tonight’s film, Merry Christmas, Yiwu, a documentary about a city in China with over 11 million residents and 600 factories.  It is an area surrounded by Christmas all year long. Unlike our other holiday films, this one presents a different perspective.  It features real people living in crowded dormitories and dealing with long hours, chemical fumes, glitter and glue guns – all to make our Christmas celebrations shiny and bright.  We see workers gluing pompoms onto Christmas hats, dipping colored balls into glitter, checking Christmas tree lights, and assembling Santas and reindeers. Most of them do not know about Christmas. It is not a part of their culture and they do not understand what the fuss is about. It is a striking contrast to watch how these residents travel miles away from their families and loved ones to live at their jobs in order to provide for themselves, and for us. After watching this, Christmas decorating will never feel the same.Email Address:  [email protected]: @festivefans4F Playlist:https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6ccCbuBY0Yi7WAx6F0Gu8f?si=135ea2453ce645ce Facebook Page:https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1000925224168484F Flair Shop (Festive Fans Merchandise)https://festivefanflair.myspreadshop.com/ 

Festive Fans Unite! (send us a message)Live from Crystal Lake, IL, It's Festive Foreign Film Fans! Today's special holiday show is a recording of our first live show at Duke's Alehouse in Crystal Lake, IL.  We want to thank Mike and Rusty from the "Snow in Southtown" podcast for letting us use their Vista Blue song "Crystal Lake"!  It was a great crowd opener and perfect for our host city.   In fact, you will hear us thank all of our friends and family, guests and our host location in this episode for their incredible support.  However, we'd also like to do a shout out to our brethren on the Christmas Podcast Network.  These are the other shows who, like us, are discussing and enjoying Christmas most of the year.  You should listen to them all, if you want to lift your spirits and make the year a little more fun, no matter the season or month.   Specifically, I want to single out Chad and Seth from "Christmas Cousins" and Joe the Christmas Aficionado for the energy, entertainment and the beer tasting throughout the year; Jack Ford at "Total Christmas" who is so funny and inspired us to start our podcast; Tim Babb at "Can't Wait for Christmas" for introducing us to Christmas podcasts; Scott and Bran at "Christmas Morning" for giving us something to look forward to all year; "Tis the Podcast", "Totally Rad Christmas", and  "Merry Britmas" for introducing us to so many new Christmas topics and specials, and finally to Sean Sotka at the "Christmas Podcasts Podcast" who covers all of us all year.  You all make each non-Christmas Day a little more festive. It is fun to know that we have Yule brothers and sisters who share the same passion.  Merry Christmas to all -- friends, fans, and podcast family -- and may it be everything you dream of and wish for, but if not, try to make it special in your own right!  Looking forward to 2025! Email Address:  [email protected]: @festivefans4F Playlist:https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6ccCbuBY0Yi7WAx6F0Gu8f?si=135ea2453ce645ce Facebook Page:https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1000925224168484F Flair Shop (Festive Fans Merchandise)https://festivefanflair.myspreadshop.com/ 

Festive Fans Unite! (send us a message)For this episode, we travel to the Middle East and the region which today is known as the Palestinian Territory. In the same way that Festive Fans covered Russia and Ukraine last December, we wanted to visit another area in need of hope during this holiday season.  Finding joy during times of war can be deeply challenging.  What is ironic is how the birthplace of the Prince of Peace has seen such ongoing human suffering, political tension, and regional instability.  We view the State of Palestine through the eyes of a father and son, Abu and Shadi, featured in the 2017 film Wajib.  Not only is there the existing tension between the Palestinians and the Israelis, but also the strained relationship between the father and son. Abu lives in the daily shadow of oppression, trying his best to continue a normal life.  Shadi lives in Italy, after having been forced to leave because of his political activity.  Their internal struggle is brought to the surface when Shadi returns to Nazareth for his sister’s wedding.  Shadi is angry by what he sees as the humiliation of the Palestinian people, but Abu is loyal and devoted to his homeland.  The two spend the day together hand-delivering wedding invitations.  The constant bickering can be exhausting, but their quiet resolution is touching and reminds us how hope can flourish even in the midst of strife.  If there is a Christmas message here, it is the importance of human connection among all people. This offers the only possibility for peace and the promise of a better tomorrow.Email Address:  [email protected]: @festivefans4F Playlist:https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6ccCbuBY0Yi7WAx6F0Gu8f?si=135ea2453ce645ce Facebook Page:https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1000925224168484F Flair Shop (Festive Fans Merchandise)https://festivefanflair.myspreadshop.com/ 

Festive Fans Unite! (send us a message)During this week of Thanksgiving, we are grateful to learn so much this episode, really, especially for a holiday week.  We are spending our Black Friday just basking in these hard truths.  After a vain search for a Colonial Christmas movie, we really learned what the Pilgrims thought about Yuletime festivities – that they should be banned.  Instead, we decide to travel to another area that is equally unfriendly to our favorite holiday, just to learn how initial appearances can be deceiving.  We visit Algeria, located in North Africa, a place that offers us a true story on film, with thoughtful resonance and emotional impact.  It is a real-life event that challenges perceptions about religion, sacrifice, and obligation.  What does it mean to have deep faith and to be tested with your life?  How strong is your belief and your convictions?  These are the weighty questions that we still contemplate while dining on turkey and stuffing.  We embrace the diverse challenges posed by a place with remarkable beauty, a sprawling desert, and a powerful ethnic heritage.  Despite the heartache of the film and its true-life events, it does offer hope and joy, but it also poses a question of what it means to be festive.  Unlike many of the other countries that we visit, Christmas is a private event for the small Christian minority in Algeria and the challenges they face.  And yet, since we were concerned, they are still able to celebrate with delicious delicacies like bourek with creamy bechamel sauce, cinnamon and butter topped Tamina, and a basket of dates, dried figs, and nuts.  At least some things are the same wherever you go.  Yum!Email Address:  [email protected]: @festivefans4F Playlist:https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6ccCbuBY0Yi7WAx6F0Gu8f?si=135ea2453ce645ce Facebook Page:https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1000925224168484F Flair Shop (Festive Fans Merchandise)https://festivefanflair.myspreadshop.com/ 

Festive Fans Unite! (send us a message)Greece is the word, is the word that you heardIn honor of our good friend Liz Schuh, the Festive Fans visit the homeland and the cradle of Western civilization this episode.  We head to the Greek islands, past Athens and those incredible ancient Acropolis and Parthenon ruins, and onto the sun-drenched beaches, the piercing blue skies, and the balmy Aegean Sea.  When you have stunning Santorini and fun-filled Mykonos, who needs Christmas?  We do!  It's got groove, it's got meaningThe boys finally travel to a country that one of us has recently visited.  Mark just returned from Greece to provide us with a unique Man on the Street (in a beautiful foreign locale) report.  Does he learn to say “Merry Christmas” in Greek? – no;  Does he visit any of the movie locations? – no;  Does he ask the locals about their Christmas traditions and customs? – no.  Does he go cliff diving in a thong? – well, no again, but it does provide a hilarious visual.  We kind of feel like a jealous mistress, when Mark is on vacation, he forgets all about us …  Greece is the time, is the place, is the nationWe take this cinematic opportunity to experience the Christmas Tango.  We watch as First Lieutenant Stefanos Karamanidis learns to tango from a nervous, young soldier, Lazaros Lazarou.  Karamanidis wants to dance with the wife of his superior, the hard-as-nails Colonel Manolis Loggos, at the camp’s Christmas party.   We put this ballroom instruction to good use when we grab the Kalikantzaroi and all start to boogie to Despina Vandi’s Xristougenna.  That’s even before we eat the Melomakarona and Kourabiede cookies!  Ain’t that right Liz?Greece is the way we are feeling!Email Address:  [email protected]: @festivefans4F Playlist:https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6ccCbuBY0Yi7WAx6F0Gu8f?si=135ea2453ce645ce Facebook Page:https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1000925224168484F Flair Shop (Festive Fans Merchandise)https://festivefanflair.myspreadshop.com/ 

Festive Fans Unite! (send us a message)The Festive Fans are getting steamy this episode, but not in the way you might think.  Unless you mean a penis panic.  The boys are off to the balmy island state of Singapore where the Christmas celebrations are full of warm memories, but mostly from the temperature.  This tropical country is over the top in its Yule-themed festivities, from the Orchard Road Street Party to the Christmas Wonderland at Gardens by the Bay.  Bob knows this, because he experienced it firsthand when he traveled there in December.   The two also have time to go shopping, or, more specifically, to review the film “Gone Shopping”, which takes place at Christmastime.  It is an examination of three lonely individuals, the stereotypes and prejudices of the culture, and the familiar Singaporean pastime of shopping.  While not festive, it does allow the 4F crew to explore the country’s holiday traditions with their own unique Asian twist.   Singapore is a place where they embrace a white Christmas so much, they fake it by using foam snow.  Join us to see how this country celebrates in a way that is truly magical and an extravaganza of lights, sound and spectacle.Email Address:  [email protected]: @festivefans4F Playlist:https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6ccCbuBY0Yi7WAx6F0Gu8f?si=135ea2453ce645ce Facebook Page:https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1000925224168484F Flair Shop (Festive Fans Merchandise)https://festivefanflair.myspreadshop.com/ 

Festive Fans Unite! (send us a message)Slovenia is such an unexpected delight for the Festive Fans.  This episode’s movie is full of pleasant surprises – two young and engaging leads; a stunning, baroque cityscape; and an honest and moving story – it has everything any podcaster could ever want.  We laughed, we cried, we cheered, and that was just for our introduction.  If you are looking for a way to launch your holiday season, try this Kapa/Beanie on for size.  You will be taken in by the landscape, charmed by the story, and left feeling ready to hug Christmas in true festive fashion.  What more could you expect from a country that has three, count them, three iconic gift givers -- Sveti Miklavž, Dedek Mraz, and Božicek. Plus, one of them wears genuine dormouse fur.  They also have a giant nativity event in a cave, a Krampus night with fireballs, chains and a dance party, and girls who can get a husband just from eating some poppyseed bread.  How can you not love this place?  But don’t take our word for it, join us on this audio tour of the best hidden holiday secret of Central Europe. Email Address:  [email protected]: @festivefans4F Playlist:https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6ccCbuBY0Yi7WAx6F0Gu8f?si=135ea2453ce645ce Facebook Page:https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1000925224168484F Flair Shop (Festive Fans Merchandise)https://festivefanflair.myspreadshop.com/ 

Festive Fans Unite! (send us a message)This episode is a wistful look back to an earlier time in the welcoming country of Senegal, known as the “Gateway to Africa”.  We visit this westernmost point on the continent to view the 1994 film Ça Twiste à Poponguine.  The story is set in post-colonial Senegal, right after the tiny nation gained its independence. It is a challenging time for this remote village as it struggles with the  American and French influence on the youth and the changing African customs and traditions. The film is a fond tribute to the early 1960s, a time when any dream seemed possible, especially for these young Africans and their new nation.Set at Christmastime in Popoguine, a small seaside town, this tale of internal strife is depicted by the teenagers who are divided into rival gangs. The main characters are played by untrained non-actors from Senegal, giving the movie a realistic feel. The first group, the “Ins” (or Inseparables) have adopted the names of French pop stars – Johnny Halliday, Sylvie Vartan, “Clo Clo” and Eddie Mitchell. They attend school and have female members, but they don’t own a record player. The other gang, the Kings, style themselves after popular American artists – Otis Redding, Ray Charles and James Brown. They work as fishermen and don’t have any girls, but they do have a record player.  The cultural struggle around them is seen in blended elements like when Chubby Checkers' Let's Twist Again is being sung in French, and wafting over this Senegalese village with locals dressed in traditional garb.This is a classic, coming of age story, and the Festive Fans love a good coming of age film, especially since we are coming of age – old age.  In keeping with the film’s theme of mixed cultures, although Senegal is 95% Muslim, Christmas is a popular holiday in the country.  The Senegalese believe that the holiday is about coming together for something greater than themselves and putting differences aside, even if it's for only one day.  As Mr. Benoit remarks about the actions of the “Ins” against the “Kings” and the elders against the youth – “Civilizations die that reject the Other. Universal civilization is the fruit of give and take." When the village comes together at the end for a giant Christmas dance party, we realize this is a sentiment we should all should, and can, embrace.Email Address:  [email protected]: @festivefans4F Playlist:https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6ccCbuBY0Yi7WAx6F0Gu8f?si=135ea2453ce645ce Facebook Page:https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1000925224168484F Flair Shop (Festive Fans Merchandise)https://festivefanflair.myspreadshop.com/ 

Festive Fans Unite! (send us a message)If you want to enjoy a true Middle Eastern Christmas, one with diverse religions and languages, but also filled with historic, cultural, culinary and artistic delights, join the Fans as we head on a festive jaunt to amazing Lebanon.  This is a unique holiday location, with incredible natural beauty, that offers a little something for everyone -- ancient Roman ruins and castles, limestone caves, beautiful beaches, and mountainous ski resorts.  It is a well-kept secret and a hidden gift that you didn’t know you needed, but one you should unwrap nonetheless. We explore a Memory Box filled with journals, notebooks, cassette tapes and photographs. It is the basis for a film that incorporates different media and textures, where still photographs turn into mini-animations to illustrate a story that folds together the past and present.  It begins one snowy Christmas Eve in Canada but flashes back to the Lebanese Civil War of the 1980s and Beirut on the brink of being torn apart.  The box serves as a portal to painful and buried memories and experiences.  Although not exactly common Christmas fodder, this is a deeply personal tale of old friends who still “eat with the dead and the ghosts” of the past. And yet, when they reunite at the conclusion, now middle-aged and greying, they still can dance to Blondie’s One Way or Another with the same reckless abandon they had as teenagers.  This moving echo of a memory seamlessly melding into modern day Beirut signals a brighter future for all, just as the brilliant sun rises over a reborn city.  It provides a hopeful note that resonates with literal warmth and brightness.  We can’t think of a better message to embrace for Christmas.Email Address:  [email protected]: @festivefans4F Playlist:https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6ccCbuBY0Yi7WAx6F0Gu8f?si=135ea2453ce645ce Facebook Page:https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1000925224168484F Flair Shop (Festive Fans Merchandise)https://festivefanflair.myspreadshop.com/ 

Festive Fans Unite! (send us a message)How do you want to spend Christmas?  If you like to celebrate in a warm and colorful locale with incredible natural beauty, lush beaches, and a stunning rainforest, grab a holiday speedo or thong, because you are going to love this episode.  We heat it up by exploring the joys of Brazil.  We travel to the world’s fifth largest country and learn how they enjoy Christmas -- with all of the sexy and smooth vibes of a passionate tango.  We first learn of the fate of Jorge, the star of this episode’s festive foreign film Tudo Bem No Natal Que Vem or “Just Another Christmas”.  He wakes up and every day is Christmas, only he can’t remember the previous year.  It’s like Groundhog Day, It’s a Wonderful Life, and Family Man combined with all of the cultural richness of Brazil.  Next, we learn the secret of the Chester, a meaty Frankenstein meal of big breasts and thighs. And finally, we meet Joyce Moreno, a multi-talented musician, and her Christmas track “O Velhinho” (“The Old Man”).  It is a national favorite, with the traditional bossa nova and samba sounds of Brazil, that deliver both a sophisticated and festive sound.  It’ll be more fun than a bite from the Brazilian Wandering Spider.Email Address:  [email protected]: @festivefans4F Playlist:https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6ccCbuBY0Yi7WAx6F0Gu8f?si=135ea2453ce645ce Facebook Page:https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1000925224168484F Flair Shop (Festive Fans Merchandise)https://festivefanflair.myspreadshop.com/ 

Festive Fans Unite! (send us a message)Put on your Gjermundbu helmet, grab your tunic and don’t forget the woolen underwear. We are off the coolest country in Europe to explore their Christmas traditions during our dog days of summer. We are talking Norway, on the outskirts of Europe – the land of Vikings, reindeer, mountains, glaciers, and fjords. Is there anything better? Yes, Norway has the northern lights!  Plus our visit to Scandinavia provides us an opportunity to review the Yuletime dramedy Himmelfall about mentally ill patients at the holidays.  Mark and Bob also weigh in on a raging controversy about what is the best regional meal to serve for Christmas dinner (we have our thoughts).  Next, we take on a festive song called "Nå er det jul", which mentions several of the Norwegian traditions, and ole’ Julenisse brings the Splayers what is our number one gift – Crocs for Christmas!Bob and Mark are currently gathering a petition to allow two lowly but impartial American podcasters to resolve the national debate that we understand has riled the country and turned neighbor against neighbor.  We believe that only hungry  outsiders who vote with their stomachs can set it right and determine once and for all which is the better choice:  ribbe or pinnekjøtt?  Our only requirment is that we be served these celebrated meals many times over a several week period to ensure that we can make a smart, honest and thorough assessment.  Oh, yes, we will also need many bottles of the best Norwegian beer.  This is necessary to clense our distinguished palates with some homegrown brew before we attack the next meal.  Don't forget the Festive Foreign Fun Fact.  You may need one this winter!  We also are looking for a local touring guide sporting a Santa hat to escort the Festive Fans on a fishing, hiking and skiing expedition, preferably to Lillehammer’s Olympic resort.  We want the full Norwegian experience (especially if everything is on the house, because, you know, we are Festive Foreign influencers and worth every free penny)!  One last request, let us know which of our new theme songs you like – “Another Festive Foreign Film Fan” (apologies to Pink Floyd), “Festive Foreign Film Fans” (apologies to Cyndi Lauper"), or “Festive Foreign Film Fans" (apologies to Michael Jackson").  Send your choice to [email protected] Address:  [email protected]: @festivefans4F Playlist:https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6ccCbuBY0Yi7WAx6F0Gu8f?si=135ea2453ce645ce Facebook Page:https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1000925224168484F Flair Shop (Festive Fans Merchandise)https://festivefanflair.myspreadshop.com/ 

Festive Fans Unite! (send us a message)G’day Mate!  We’re so stoked.  The Festive Fans are firing the barbie today for holiday tucker -- heaps of prawns and snags.  We’re putting on some cozies and thongs (well, Mark’s in a budgie smuggler) to enjoy our visit to Straya. Beware the mozzies because it’s a summer celebration.  We’ll be going off, skulling a few frothies, getting some Macca’s, and making a visit to the “December Boys” out in the woop woop.  This film is a beauty.  Crikey, it’s a bloody good prezzie.  There’s orphans, a sea captain, a stunt motorcyclist, and some sick Sheilas.  It’s just what you want in your festive film and a real cracker.    We learn how to say “Happy Christmas” like the Aboriginal people: Gaadha Gayaa!  Then after brekkie, we’ll spend the arvo at the beach, waiting for Caroling by Candlelight.  We'll also enjoy the sounds of “How to Make Gravy”, a local tune steeped in the Yule culture Down Under.  You can truly see, feel, and experience this song by Paul Kelly.  He’s a popular fixture of Melbourne folklore and on its music scene.  Dardy!This is a true Aussie Chrissie and it’s good on ya! Email Address:  [email protected]: @festivefans4F Playlist:https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6ccCbuBY0Yi7WAx6F0Gu8f?si=135ea2453ce645ce Facebook Page:https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1000925224168484F Flair Shop (Festive Fans Merchandise)https://festivefanflair.myspreadshop.com/ 

Festive Fans Unite! (send us a message)So it's Season 2.  We are older and wiser.  Or, with all the traditional food and drink from last season, maybe just older and wider.  We have a much broader view now and we are keeping our chins up ... all of them.  To kick off the season, we didn't want to rush into it with something simple or easy.  No Disney here.  We travel to Slovakia, the twin sister to the Czech Republic, which we covered in Episode 8.  The story in "Let There Be Light" is complicated, messy and layered, which the same is true of us Festive Fans.  And we have more layers now!  What a way to start! This film leaves us so intrigued with the mystery of Slovokia.  It was difficult to find any details about the actors, the music, and the country.  While still young, this independent upstart is entering its thirties, but still having growing pains, which only leaves us more curious to visit.  Plus, we want to try some of that hot and sweet cabbage soup  Bob is a bit unsatified with the end of the movie, so we just distract him with this episode's song.  You put this holiday burner on and you'll forget all about the movie.  As we like to say in Season 2, "Are you 4Fing kidding me?"      Email Address:  [email protected]: @festivefans4F Playlist:https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6ccCbuBY0Yi7WAx6F0Gu8f?si=135ea2453ce645ce Facebook Page:https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1000925224168484F Flair Shop (Festive Fans Merchandise)https://festivefanflair.myspreadshop.com/ 

Festive Fans Unite! (send us a message)This episode is our longest and most special.  It is Part 2 of our anniversary show.  We welcome our first guest, author and podcaster Alonso Duralde; we pick our favorite global holiday songs and movies; and, most importantly, we enjoy and celebrate our podcast, and our listeners, and everything new this first year has taught us.  When we started, we were told that our topic was super niche and no one was going to be interested in a discussion of foreign Christmas movies -- especially those that are hard-to-find and from obscure countries.  The practical advice would have been to find a topic more relatable to a larger audience.  Instead, we decided to stick with a concept that we care about.  We know our audience is small, but we hope that they engage with us and with the podcast in the same way that we do.  It's not only about Christmas, or movies, or customs, but it is about basic goodness, spiritual hunger, and human kindness.  We  live in a world divided, and we can be incredibly self-focused and distant from other countries.  We often look through a prism that reflects only ourselves and our experience.  It is our hope that in some small way this podcast can build bridges and break down walls.  Watching international films, you will see a different view of the world.  When we learn to look outside of ourselves and appreciate other cultures, we can accept the unique world around us, and that is the true meaning of Christmas. Email Address:  [email protected]: @festivefans4F Playlist:https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6ccCbuBY0Yi7WAx6F0Gu8f?si=135ea2453ce645ce Facebook Page:https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1000925224168484F Flair Shop (Festive Fans Merchandise)https://festivefanflair.myspreadshop.com/ 

Festive Fans Unite! (send us a message)One Year!  Wow, it seems like just last June we were in the street markets of Ancient Baghdad on a flying carpet with Aladin.  Or, trying to escape from the top of a burning tower in South Korea.  These films offered us a cinematic glimpse into the diverse traditions, customs, and ways of life for people in different places around the globe, and all in the name of international Christmas entertainment.  As the Festive Fans, we have learned so much about the holiday celebrations of the places we visit and elements of their history and culture as well.  It has been enlightening in a way we didn’t expect.  When we watch films from foreign countries we are exposed to a unique artistic experience. These films tell stories with different perspectives and new ways of thinking.  As a simple little Christmas podcast, we have enjoyed scary goats, naked elves, and zombie high schoolers; we’ve explored issues of white nationalism, antisemitism, and sexual abuse; we’ve watched dramas, comedies, animation, and whatever the heck that Echo was; and we’ve touched almost every continent – Europe, Asia, Africa, North and South America. Each different location we visit demonstrates how the world is so much bigger than we often recognize.  This podcast has been an amazing ride for us, especially with its soundtrack of foreign Christmas music.   Our next two episodes are going to highlight the best of the last 24 shows.  We have selected our own personal favorite quotes, food and drink, customs, songs and films.  It is our time to review and revisit the best of what we’ve discovered.  Watching foreign films allows us to visit and celebrate Christmas in exotic cities that we may never be able to see in person.  It sometimes takes a movie from halfway across the world to remind us how our experiences and rituals are more universal than we think --regardless of linguistic, cultural or geological differences. If this is your first time joining us, we hope it’s a good experience and maybe you want to go back and start at the beginning.  If you’ve been with us before, let’s appreciate this change of pace and treat this like one of those flashback sitcom episodes.  Pop some champagne and kick back, it’s the Best of the Festive Foreign Film Fans - Season One!  On with the show!Email Address:  [email protected]: @festivefans4F Playlist:https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6ccCbuBY0Yi7WAx6F0Gu8f?si=135ea2453ce645ce Facebook Page:https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1000925224168484F Flair Shop (Festive Fans Merchandise)https://festivefanflair.myspreadshop.com/ 

Festive Fans Unite! (send us a message)OK, Festive Fans, pour yourselves a Mai Thai and get ready for the last episode of our first season!  We are heading east – Far East – to Thailand, a captivating land of beaches, palaces, ruins, and temples.  It’s the perfect ending for a final holiday outing of Season 1 to shake our Christmas booties with the Buddhists and elephants. First, we review the film Rak haeng Siam or The Love of Siam.   The portrayal of life in the film is very realistic:  family dynamics, confusing emotions, and the painful truth that you don’t always get what you want.  It is a multi-layered drama that deals with loneliness, longing, pain, tragedy, alcoholism, peer pressure, success, sexual awakenings, and family responsibilities, all in one film.  Merry Christmas!  No wonder the film is so long.  And yet, there is nothing more poignant than when Mew finally receives the last piece of Tong’s gift, completing the wooden Santa.  It accurately captures all of their pent-up emotions without dialogue -- the memories they made together, the love they share, and the reality that they can’t be together.  If there is a lesson here, it is about societal separation, and coping with being apart from ones you truly love.  Not cheerful or merry, but honest and emotional, which is what the holidays are all about.   We also discuss the open way that Buddhists accept the Christmas celebration and the teachings of Jesus.  It is uplifting and spiritual how Thai culture shines through in their local approach to the holiday.  Many Thai will celebrate Christmas, but will also incorporate Buddhist traditions as well.  We all share the core beliefs of togetherness, love, generosity, and care for others that are on display at Christmas.  We can’t  think of a better common message of brotherhood and community on which to end our first season.   Optimum est alius nondum venit (the best is yet to come)!Email Address:  [email protected]: @festivefans4F Playlist:https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6ccCbuBY0Yi7WAx6F0Gu8f?si=135ea2453ce645ce Facebook Page:https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1000925224168484F Flair Shop (Festive Fans Merchandise)https://festivefanflair.myspreadshop.com/ 

Festive Fans Unite! (send us a message)The boys are going Dutch this episode and exploring Christmas in the land of tulips, windmills, and hole-y dykes.  Grab your wooden shoes, we are heading to the Netherlands for St. Nicholas Day!   We also examine a surprisingly dated film from 2007, Alles is Liefde, and discuss whether the same film could be made today.  It is another example of the subgenre we call the “Love Actually Knockoffs” with several characters, many stories at once, and intersecting storylines brought together by the holiday spirit.  The film is funny and has all of the necessary feel-good elements – including a charming prince on a horse – but it also features the controversial assistant of St. Nicholas known as “Zwarte Piet" or "Black Pete”.  This traditional Dutch character is portrayed here in an exaggerated and offensive fashion.  The film even posits the question of whether the Petes exist as the slaves of St. Nicholas, and this concept is played for laughs.  Sadly, this undertone of racism detracts from what is a fun, lighthearted holiday movie, especially if you’re interested in the culture.  And speaking of, we also take a look at some unique Christmas elements, including a novelty song about a dead rabbit, Santa with a butt plug, and a popular festive song that was first popularized by Ernie and Bert on the Dutch Sesame Street, and is sung by one of the actresses in the film.  This episode is truly a delectable gourmetten!Email Address:  [email protected]: @festivefans4F Playlist:https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6ccCbuBY0Yi7WAx6F0Gu8f?si=135ea2453ce645ce Facebook Page:https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1000925224168484F Flair Shop (Festive Fans Merchandise)https://festivefanflair.myspreadshop.com/ 

Festive Fans Unite! (send us a message)In today’s episode, we enjoy Skenbart or “IIlusive Tracks” a black and white Swedish film set in 1945. It is a comedy, thriller, drama and love story, all wrapped up in one, along with those common elements you expect in a Christmas film – murder, adultery, and violence.  Plus, if you can believe it, it’s really, really funny.  Join the boys are we travel with the hopelessly idealistic Gunnar, a failed author who quit his job to escape on a train for Berlin.  He sees excitement and opportunity and wants to rebuild the city after World War II, but instead leaves chaos in his wake. On the train leaving from Stockholm is an eccentric crew – a Catholic doctor who wants to kill his wife, a gay man who hates men, a hapless soldier on the wrong train, and some hard-drinking nuns with religious doubts and a motley group of Baltic refugees.  Now this is a holiday party! Even with the hilarity, Mark and Bob still find time to celebrate a true Swedish Christmas, with an authentic smorgasbord washed down with a couple mugs of Julmust.  They also set a giant straw Yule goat on fire and enjoy their annual viewing of Kalle Anka och hans vänner önskar God Jul, all while waiting for Jultomten to arrive.  To top it off, they swing to the silken tones of the dashing former model and Eurovision winner Måns Zelmerlöw and his 2010 cover of "Tomten, jag vill ha en riktig jul".  With all this laughter, adventure, and generosity, can it get any more festive, fans?Email Address:  [email protected]: @festivefans4F Playlist:https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6ccCbuBY0Yi7WAx6F0Gu8f?si=135ea2453ce645ce Facebook Page:https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1000925224168484F Flair Shop (Festive Fans Merchandise)https://festivefanflair.myspreadshop.com/ 

Festive Fans Unite! (send us a message)The boys  head north again to another Scandinavian country to fully embrace the land of Vikings, pastries, and Mads Mikkelsen.  It’s Denmark!  Yes, our own Hannibal Lecter stars in a revenge drama that has all of the elements you didn’t know you wanted for the holidays  – anger, grief and lots of violence.  And It is still feels Christmassy!  Don’t misunderstand, this is the rare film where you recognize by the end that everybody should’ve gone to therapy.  Good thing we are in the happiest country in the world!  Even their Christmas customs are snug and cozy (well except for the nisse who wants to break the necks of your cattle and burn down your barn). You better leave him some Risalamande.  Plus, we have our first international rap anti-Christmas song “Jul 'Det Cool".  It joyfully celebrates how Christmas is expensive and boring.  Happy Holidays!  There is nothing rotten here, so sit back and enjoy this ride.  Trust us, it's a wild one!Email Address:  [email protected]: @festivefans4F Playlist:https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6ccCbuBY0Yi7WAx6F0Gu8f?si=135ea2453ce645ce Facebook Page:https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1000925224168484F Flair Shop (Festive Fans Merchandise)https://festivefanflair.myspreadshop.com/