Christmas, Again is a 2014 drama romance film written, directed, and produced by Charles Poekel. The film features Kentucker Audley in the lead role as a Christmas-tree salesman returning to New York City. The film had its premiere at the 2014 Locarno International Film Festival in Switzerland and also screened at 2015 Sundance Film Festival in the United States.
| Christmas, Again | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Charles Poekel |
| Written by | Charles Poekel |
| Produced by | Charles Poekel |
| Starring | |
| Cinematography | Sean Price Williams |
| Edited by | Robert Greene |
Release date |
|
Running time | 80 minutes |
| Language | English |
Plot
editNoel, a heartbroken Christmas-tree salesman, returns to New York City hoping to put his past behind him. Living in a trailer and working the night shift, he begins to spiral downwards until the saving of a mysterious woman and some colorful customers rescue him from self-destruction.
Cast
edit- Kentucker Audley as Noel
- Hannah Gross as Lydia
- Craig Butta as Bluetooth Man
- Mario Cantillo as Nighttime Customer
- Heather Courtney as Pregnant Wife
- Martin Courtney as Husband on Crutches
- David Gauld as Wreath Guy
- Dakota Goldhor as Plain Wreath Customer
- Yvonne Gougelet as Obama Tree Lady
Production
editWriter-director Charles Poekel was himself a Christmas tree salesman and used his earnings to finance the film.[2] The film was shot in 16 mm.[3]
Critical reception
editBased on 20 critics' reviews, Christmas, Again has a 100% approval rating on review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes.[4]
Sheila O'Malley of RogerEbert.com gave the film 3 and 1/2 stars out of 4 and said "the most striking thing about it is its evocation of an extremely specific mood. Once we settle into it, and it happens early, everything else becomes possible."[5] Alonso Duralde of TheWrap noted, "Delicate and restrained, the film offers the messages of redemption and renewal we so often crave from a Christmas movie without wrapping its themes and characters in tinsel."[6]
Accolades
editThe film has been nominated for several independent film awards including the John Cassavetes Award at the 2016 Independent Spirit Awards.[7]
References
edit- ^ Debruge, Peter (August 23, 2014). "Film Review: 'Christmas, Again'". Variety.
- ^ Aguilar, Carlos (December 3, 2015). "Need Funding? Sell Christmas Trees: Charles Poekel Lived Christmas, Again Before He Shot It (on Super-16)". MovieMaker Magazine. Retrieved November 26, 2022.
- ^ Schwartz, Dennis (August 5, 2019). "Christmas, Again". Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews. Retrieved November 26, 2022.
- ^ "Christmas, Again". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved November 26, 2022.
- ^ O'Malley, Sheila (December 3, 2015). "Christmas, Again". RogerEbert.com. Retrieved November 26, 2022.
- ^ Duralde, Alonso (December 11, 2015). "'Christmas, Again' Review: Spirit Award Nominee Mixes Holiday Melancholy With Comfort and Joy". TheWrap. Retrieved November 26, 2022.
- ^ "Spirit Awards: The Complete Winners List". The Hollywood Reporter. February 27, 2016. Retrieved November 26, 2022.
