MERRY CHRISTMAS aka JOYEUX NOëL

Year: 2005
USA: Sony Pictures Classics
UK: Sony Pictures Releasing
Cast: Diane Kruger, Benno Furmann, Guillaume Canet, Gary Lewis, Dany Boon, Daniel Bruhl, Lucas Belvaux, Bernard Le Coq, Alex Ferns, Christopher Fulford, Michel Serrault, Suzanne Flon, Robin Laing, Joachim Bissmeier, Thomas Schmauser, Frank Witter, Ian Richardson, Steven Robertson, Christian Carion, Tom Duncan, Mathias Herrmann, Marc Robert, Friedemann Thiele, Johannes Richard Voelkel
Director: Christian Carion
Countries: France / Germany / UK / Belgium / Romania
Languages: French / German / English / Latin
USA & UK: 116 mins
USA Rated: R for some war violence and brief sexuality
UK Certificate: 12A contains moderate battle violence, sex, and one use of strong language
USA Release Date: 3 March 2006 (Limited Release - New York and Los Angeles)
UK Release Date: 16 December 2005


Synopsis

This movie is inspired by a true story, which occurred in the trenches of the World War I battlefield on Christmas Eve in 1914.

When war breaks out in the lull of summer 1914, it surprises and pulls millions of men in its wake. Christmas arrives, with its snow and multitude of family and army presents. But the surprise won't come from inside the generous parcels which lie in the French, Scottish, and German trenches.

That night, a momentous event will turn the destinies of four characters : an Anglican priest, a French lieutenant, an exceptional German tenor and the one he loves, a soprano and singing partner. During this Christmas Eve, the unthinkable happens : soldiers come out of their trenches, leaving their rifles behind to shake hands with the enemy.