Tinsel Town is one of the most charming and unexpected Christmas movies of the season. In my recent interview with director Chris Foggin, he reveals exactly why this festive film works so well, even for American audiences unfamiliar with one of its biggest inspirations: British pantomime.

For viewers in the U.S., pantomime (or “panto”) isn’t a widely known tradition. As Foggin’s explains, pantomime is a beloved UK Christmas staple that reimagines classic fairy tales like Cinderella and Beauty and the Beast with heightened comedy, audience interaction, colorful spectacle, and humor designed to entertain both kids and adults. Tinsel Town celebrates this tradition while introducing it to a global audience, blending British satire with Hollywood-style holiday storytelling.

One of the film’s biggest surprises is Kiefer Sutherland in a comedic role that fully leans into self-awareness. Known for intense performances in 24, Designated Survivor, and cult classics like The Lost Boys, Sutherland was intentionally cast against type. 

Foggin’s shared that while many actors could have easily fit into a Christmas comedy, the creative team wanted someone audiences wouldn’t naturally expect, and Sutherland immediately understood the tone, gags, and heart of the script.

WATCH OUR INTERVIEW WITH TINSEL TOWN DIRECTOR CHRIS FOGGIN BELOW

WHAT IS TINSELT TOWN

Tinsel Town is a festive holiday comedy that blends British Christmas pantomime with classic Hollywood charm. The story follows Brad (Keifer Sutherland), a once-famous American action star whose career has lost its shine. Hoping for a comeback, Brad travels to the UK believing he has landed a serious acting role. However, he discovers he has been cast in a traditional pantomime production of Cinderella. 

Completely out of his element, he is thrown into a world of exaggerated comedy, audience participation, slapstick humor, and theatrical chaos, where nothing works the way he expects it to. As Brad clashes with the eccentric cast and learns the rules and spirit of panto, his journey becomes less about reclaiming fame and more about rediscovering joy, humility, and the importance of community. 

Filled with colorful characters, scene-stealing performances, and heartfelt holiday warmth, Tinsel Town celebrates a beloved UK Christmas tradition while delivering a feel-good story about second chances, shared laughter, and embracing the unexpected during the holiday season.