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Season 3, Episode 2 – Les Ames de Papier “Paper Souls” (Luxembourg)

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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.

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Season 3, Episode 2 – Les Ames de Papier “Paper Souls” (Luxembourg)

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Season 3, Episode 1 – Phantom Owl Forest (Estonia)

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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!

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Season 2, Anniversary Show – Part 2!

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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.

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Title: Season 2, Anniversary Show – Part 2!
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Season 2 Anniversary Show – Part 1!

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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!

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Episode 50! – Christmas (New Zealand)

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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!

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Season 2, Episode 21 – Crumbs (Ethiopia)

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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.

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Title: Season 2, Episode 21 – Crumbs (Ethiopia)
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Season 2, Episode 20 (Costa Rica)

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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.

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Season 2, Episode 19 – Ben Hur (Happy Easter!)

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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!

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Title: Season 2, Episode 19 – Ben Hur (Happy Easter!)
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Season 2, Episode 18 – Meine Schöne Bescherung (Germany)

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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?

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Title: Season 2, Episode 18 – Meine Schöne Bescherung (Germany)
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Season 2, Episode 17 – El Sistema Solar (Peru)

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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, plus you get to learn how to say Merry Christmas in Quechuan!

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Season 2, Episode 16 – ? (Indonesia)

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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!

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Season 2, Episode 15 – Santa Claus in Baghdad (Iraq)

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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.

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Season 2, Episode 14 – Circenisa Ziemassvetki “Accidental Santa” (Latvia)

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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 a beautiful 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.

 

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Listen to this episode of Festive Foreign Film Fans podcast
Author: Bob & Mark
Title: Season 2, Episode 14 – Circenisa Ziemassvetki “Accidental Santa” (Latvia)
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Season 2, Episode 13 – Merry Christmas, Yiwu (The People’s Republic of China)

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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.

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Listen to this episode of Festive Foreign Film Fans podcast
Author: Bob & Mark
Title:

Season 2, Episode 13 – Merry Christmas, Yiwu (The People’s Republic of China)

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Season 2, Episode 12 – Live from Duke’s!

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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:
festivefans@gmail.com

Linktree:
https://linktr.ee/festivefans?utm_source=linktree_profile_share

4F Playlist:

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/48fClElFHIbhA4u55qo5Hm?si=rEwNHgOyRACX1IuPZe0PTw&pi=u-D3fbqpFNSw-p

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/48fClElFHIbhA4u55qo5Hm

Facebook Page:
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Listen to this episode of Festive Foreign Film Fans podcast
Author: Bob & Mark
Title:

Season 2, Episode 12 – Live from Duke’s!

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,

Season 2, Episode 12 – Live from Duke’s!

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 really 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.

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 of the Christmas podcast network.  These are the other shows who, like us, are discussing and enjoying Christmas most of the year.  We would advise you to listen to all of them 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 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 things, and finally to Sean Sotka at the “Christmas Podcasts Podcast” who covers all of us all year.

It is fun to know that you have Yule brothers and sisters who share the same passion.  Merry Christmas to all — may it be everything you dream of and wish for, but if not, try to make it special in your own right!
,

Email Address:
festivefans@gmail.com

Linktree:
https://linktr.ee/festivefans?utm_source=linktree_profile_share

4F Playlist:

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/48fClElFHIbhA4u55qo5Hm?si=rEwNHgOyRACX1IuPZe0PTw&pi=u-D3fbqpFNSw-p

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/48fClElFHIbhA4u55qo5Hm

Facebook Page:
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100092522416848

4F Flair Shop (Festive Fans Merchandise)
https://festivefanflair.myspreadshop.com/

Listen to this episode of Festive Foreign Film Fans podcast
Author: Bob & Mark
Title:

Season 2, Episode 12 – Live from Duke’s!

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Season 2, Episode 11 – Wajib (Palestinian Territory)

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:
festivefans@gmail.com

Linktree:
https://linktr.ee/festivefans?utm_source=linktree_profile_share

4F Playlist:

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/48fClElFHIbhA4u55qo5Hm?si=rEwNHgOyRACX1IuPZe0PTw&pi=u-D3fbqpFNSw-p

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/48fClElFHIbhA4u55qo5Hm

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Listen to this episode of Festive Foreign Film Fans podcast
Author: Bob & Mark
Title: Season 2, Episode 11 – Wajib (Palestinian Territory)
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Season 2, Episode 10 – Des hommes et des dieux “Of Gods and Men” (Algeria)

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:
festivefans@gmail.com

Linktree:
https://linktr.ee/festivefans?utm_source=linktree_profile_share

4F Playlist:

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/48fClElFHIbhA4u55qo5Hm?si=rEwNHgOyRACX1IuPZe0PTw&pi=u-D3fbqpFNSw-p

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/48fClElFHIbhA4u55qo5Hm

Facebook Page:
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4F Flair Shop (Festive Fans Merchandise)
https://festivefanflair.myspreadshop.com/

Listen to this episode of Festive Foreign Film Fans podcast
Author: Bob & Mark
Title:

Season 2, Episode 10 – Des hommes et des dieux “Of Gods and Men” (Algeria)

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