WINTER SOLSTICE FILMS
Pierre-André Lévesque
I was wondering if anyone here could recommend some films which depict
the Winter Solstice (December 21)?. Perhaps a film which depicts Yule,
which is a winter festival that was initially celebrated by the
historical Germanic peoples as a pagan religious festival, though it
was later absorbed into, and equated with, the Christian festival of
Christmas. Yule was originally a celebration of the Winter Solstice.
The festival was originally celebrated from late December to early
January on a date determined by the lunar
Germanic calendar. The festival was placed on December 25 when the
Christian calendar (Julian calendar) was
adopted. Some historians claim that the celebration is connected to
the Wild Hunt or was influenced by Saturnalia, the Roman winter
festival. Customs such as the Yule log, Yule goat, Yule boar, Yule
singing, and others stem from Yule.
In modern times, Yule is observed as a cultural festival and also with
religious rites by some Christians and by some
Neo-pagans.
The only film I have ever seen which even remotely depicts the
celebration of the Winter Solstice, or at least the overall holiday of
Saturnalia which historically began on December 17, and ran as a week
long extravaganza, ending on the 23rd; is "Eyes Wide Shut". This film
would appear to depict many of the sexual rites of Saturnalia during
the infamous Masked Ball scene.
Any other suggestions?
Cheers,
Pierre-André