‘So This Is Christmas’ is powerful and emotional slice of Irish life

It’s the most wonderful time of the year - but for many, Christmas can be a bittersweet period as they reflect on their lives at the end of the year.

Now a new Irish movie, So This Is Christmas, tells the powerful and emotional stories of ordinary people as they navigate personal dilemmas and life experiences. In doing so, they show remarkable honesty, resilience and bravery.

The movie is peppered with festive quirks - we get to meet a turkey farmer who’s preparing for the busiest time of the year and five ‘Santas’ as they prepare to don their seasonal red suit. One of them informs us: “This will be my 33rd year as the man with the beard.”

But at the heart of the film are the stories of a number of Irish people as they face into the festive season at a hugely challenging time in their lives. In talking about loss, love and the importance of kindness and empathy, they remind audiences of the true spirit of the season.

So This Is Christmas is the latest movie from Irish documentary filmmaker Ken Wardrop, who first brought us his trademark moving blend of comedy and heartfelt emotion in His & Hers. The documentary set in the Irish midlands told the personal stories of Irish women from infancy right through to old age, through the eyes of the women themselves.

In this film, Wardrop has trained his lens on a number of Irish people, who courageously open up about the dilemmas they face as the festive season approaches.

They include Mary, who has struggled with an eating disorder since she was a teenager. Christmas for her is a very complicated time and difficult to navigate with so much emphasis on food and celebration through food.

Annette opens up about her recent health difficulties and living alone and in isolation, and how that can be compounded during Christmas.

Shane is a happy-go-lucky council worker who has lived with his dog ever since both his parents passed away. As a child, he would be beaten for being unable to read or write - but when we meet him in the film in his late forties, he has returned to education.

Like many Irish people, Loretta is struggling with ever-tightening finances and talks openly and honestly about the stresses of having to live day to day. The single mum of three sweet and funny young children, Loretta is a single mother and qualified nurse who has had to give up work because she can’t afford childcare.

Jason speaks emotionally and very movingly about this first Christmas without his beloved wife Roxy. He is shattered by her loss, as are the couple’s two sons - but Roxy always made every effort to make Christmas special for her family, and they are determined to do the same.

Wardrop’s film weaves its way in and out of these everyday people’s lives and finds extraordinary testimony in their thoughts and emotions. It’s very poignant in places, but So This Is Christmas is peppered with hope and humour too, as it reminds us of what the festive season is really about.

The Verdict: A powerful and emotional slice of Irish life.