So This Is Christmas

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So This Is Christmas

2023

1h 26m

Holiday

Documentary

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6 Reviews

Popcornmeter

Fewer than 50 Ratings

It's late November in a quiet little Irish town, and the expectations of the impending festive season are growing. Christmas trees are being bought, festive music turned up and presents scrambled for. It's all getting very bright and loud, excessive and expensive. "So this is Christmas" takes us on a heartening and emotional journey with five ordinary characters as they navigate personal dilemmas triggered by this overwhelming time of year. Amid their everyday lives and struggles, we discover stories of extraordinary resilience and humble bravery. The story is brought to life in a creative documentary form, where characters' lives interweave with a colorful tapestry of Christmas scenes. Beyond the façade of tinsel and celebration, the film explores the deeper complexities that emerge when expectations collide with reality. What transpires is an important social commentary, filled with humor yet tinged with tragedy that will leave audiences questioning the true meaning of Christmas.

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Catherine Bray

Guardian

Dec 10, 2024

3/5

These people’s stories are all gently compelling, in much the same way as they would be if you got into a conversation with any of them on the bus or in a bar.

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Pat Mullen

POV Magazine

May 31, 2024

There’s clear comfort with the interviews as the conversations offer a cathartic means for the participants to work through their stories

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Lisa Dempsey

Film Ireland Magazine

Dec 1, 2023

I struggle to see how anyone wouldn't be able to relate to the people in this film in some way. It is an absolutely beautiful depiction of these subjects that was executed extremely well.

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Sarah McIntyre

RTÉ (Ireland)

Nov 28, 2023

5/5

The gulf between the giddy expectations around Christmas and the frequently deflating reality is explored by Wardrop with tenderness and empathy.

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Hilary A White

Sunday Independent (Ireland)

Nov 28, 2023

4/5

The assumption with any films themed around Christmas is they will become seasonal staples. This could very well transpire with Wardrop’s latest jewel, such is the kindly, twinkle-eyed embrace it administers.

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Paul Whitington

Irish Independent

Nov 28, 2023

5/5

Sometimes Wardrop’s film is not an easy watch, but the honesty of his subjects and the respect with which he treats their stories, make this documentary utterly compelling.

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Cindy M

@CindyCindy Jan 20, 2026

It is challenging at times to watch the raw emotion of the participants in this film but ultimately if one is paying close attention we see the survival of hope in the face of day-to-day challenges we all face at one level or another. Sobering and serious, yet the film manages to show us the strength of the human spirit and offers us the possibility of hope when to many it might seem hopeless. Well done!

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Leigh G

@LeighAnn Jan 1, 2026

Hello from the US. thank you for sharing your personal and beautiful stories. I saw a lot of strong people in this documentary. I hope that things are going well for all of them.. Merry Christmas!🎄 And yes, I thought this was a wonderful documentary.

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Synopsis

It's late November in a quiet little Irish town, and the expectations of the impending festive season are growing. Christmas trees are being bought, festive music turned up and presents scrambled for. It's all getting very bright and loud, excessive and expensive. "So this is Christmas" takes us on a heartening and emotional journey with five ordinary characters as they navigate personal dilemmas triggered by this overwhelming time of year. Amid their everyday lives and struggles, we discover stories of extraordinary resilience and humble bravery. The story is brought to life in a creative documentary form, where characters' lives interweave with a colorful tapestry of Christmas scenes. Beyond the façade of tinsel and celebration, the film explores the deeper complexities that emerge when expectations collide with reality. What transpires is an important social commentary, filled with humor yet tinged with tragedy that will leave audiences questioning the true meaning of Christmas.

Director: Ken Wardrop
Producer: Andrew Freedman, Samantha Corr
Screenwriter: Ken Wardrop
Production Co: Venom Film
Genre: Holiday, Documentary
Original Language: English
Runtime: 1h 26m

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