Christmas At the Stables

When young Onni inherits his grandmother's Christmas Stables, he also inherits its debts. The property is on the brink of collapse, and the local shopkeeper Roimola has designs on the land for himself. With little time and fewer resources, Onni sets out to save the only home he has ever really known.

His unlikely allies are the seven animals in his care: a donkey, a pig, a duck, and a pair each of dogs and small goats. Their bond with Onni gives the story its warmth, and as the festive season draws closer, the possibility of something more extraordinary begins to take shape.

A neighbour's daughter, Ilona, is drawn into the fight, and together the two children discover what it takes to hold on to something worth keeping. Roimola, meanwhile, is not easily discouraged.

Directed by Johanna Smith and produced by Yle, this Finnish Christmas film carries the atmosphere of a classic family fable: a child facing an adult-sized problem, a community under pressure, and animals who seem to understand more than they should. Whether a miracle is coming or not, the story earns its ending.