The Holdovers

Snow transforms the school grounds into a picturesque winter wonderland and the festive season is just around the corner - but in Alexander Payne's THE HOLDOVERS, not everyone at the elite boarding school Barton Academy is in the Christmas spirit in December 1970. The embittered and unpopular Professor Paul Hunham has been put in charge of all the students who are unable to go home to their families. This doesn't suit him any more than it does the clever but rebellious Angus, who actually wanted to be on a beach holiday with his mother. The frustration grows when Angus, Paul and cook Mary are the only ones left in the freezing cold school building. But as time goes by, the shared loneliness and numerous bizarre incidents lead to the unequal trio finding something of a contemplative mood just in time for the festive season.

THE HOLDOVERS unites Alexander Payne and Paul Giamatti from ‘Sideways’ in a Christmas story about three lonely, stranded people at a boarding school in New England during the winter holidays of 1970.

One of the highlights of the Viennale and a presumed firm favourite for the Oscar nominations. A touching, finely spun comedy about solidarity and respect, about the power of overcoming prejudices and getting up again after low blows.