When it comes to Christmas films many are packed with elements of fantasy. Reasonings for how Santa achieves his annual worldwide delivery, and keeps the North Pole hidden, introduce sci-fi leanings with increasingly futuristic ideas. Delving into imagination has long been a big part of many fictional festive films, no matter what genre. However, this year’s Alternative Christmas Film Advent Calendar switches focus to look at documentaries which follow real world Christmas stories and figures, each with their own strand of imagination, festive spirit and occasional fantasy.
If the fireplace isn’t big enough, or proves too much of a safety hazard, there’s no greater warmth for many film characters than gathering around the Christmas tree. It’s what the people of Whoville unite around after Christmas has been stolen, with the Grinch eventually joining them after he returns it. Even before buying one the people of Manhattan, and occasionally beyond, are connected and infused with the Christmas spirit not by the trees for sale but by the man who’s selling them. Every year Quebec resident François travels over 500 miles to the same New York City street corner and sets up shop, living in a van parked up on the edge of the pavement for the couple of months he spends away from his wife and young children.
Manhattan provides something of a second family to François. As soon as he parks up he’s greeted warmly by the street’s security guard. Hugs begin to spread as more people arrive and we meet those who also help to sell trees, sometimes at other stalls, and those who will always return to François to buy their annual evergreen. We hear from many customers who state that visiting him, alongside his quickly-assembled street-side shop, is as much of an annual tradition as decorating the tree itself.
When it comes to his staff all, including their families, have warm words to say about François. He’s been there for some throughout their lives, given them opportunities and been there to encourage towards the right path. For much of the film he seems like a quiet figure, set on selling Christmas trees while the world around him while constantly moving appears to throw all sorts of praise, thankfulness and admiration his way, even from those at other stalls who themselves have travelled hundreds of miles to sell trees. It creates a large sense of welcoming and family in streets that could so easily feel isolating.
François’s tree shop acts as a hub where people come together and the festive season truly kicks off for many, putting them into the Christmas spirit. It comes across in a growing sense of warmth that everyone shows towards the film’s titular Tree Man, and gently receive from him, for customers this includes the stall going out of its way to deliver trees and sometimes help set them up. It may just be part of the service, it may be the seasonal cheer and generosity. Whatever it is it surrounds both the shop and man at the centre of the film and those who interact with him and make up that second family. The tight community within this big city may relieve some of the loneliness and separation as they gather around the Tree Man with open arms.
Tree Man is available to watch in the following places:
Apple TV/ iTunes
The Roku Channel
To see other places where you can buy, rent or stream the film, particularly in your own country, then JustWatch is always worth looking at.
Just A Little Bit Random 