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First, the Recap:
The aspiration to leave a lasting, influential, beneficial mark on the world. A tall order in anyone’s book for sure, yet a goal more than worthy to make every possible effort to attain, especially when so many others could be wonderfully transformed by actions that simply define empathy and commitment to make things a better place to inhabit. But, when a source of such deeds suddenly faces a serious dilemma, what will be the consequences of it moving forward? At the North Pole, it is a well-established night–Christmas Eve–and the prime elf himself, Santa Claus, discovers an unnerving truth. Unveiling it to all those closest to him, taking to the skies as has been his destiny and desire every year for so long will hold a special meaning beyond any before, and will change the face of the world forever.
Next, my Mind:
Have the tissues handy, folks, and get ready for a perspicuously evocative mixing of much needed inspiration and tear-inducing heartbreak as it applies to addressing the legacy of a legend and the abiding impact he will forever have on the history of humanity and the world through this emotively potent 9-minute claymation short film from writer/director/producer Andrew de Burgh, co-producer Ananya Chopra, and co-producer/claymation/sculptor Chris Diamant of Key To Clay, bringing a perspective on the beloved Christmas figure that is Santa Claus which simply moves your heart, soul, and spirit to the deepest magnitudes with a message that is wholly necessary and unavoidably profound. It marks a second animated short de Burgh has put out with this topic, the other being 2020’s “The Legend of Santa“. Suspend your personal beliefs about his existence and just allow the sheer strength of passion and grounded truths about all we are as people wash over you, as it is a story that is also willing to present another oft maligned fact we really don’t like admitting–NONE of us are immune to hardship.
Set amidst arguably one of the most cherished, or at least most recognized, nights around the world, Christmas Eve, the narrative focuses on St. Nick’s busiest evening of the year and a sudden shift in his reality that induces both current and past contemplations about exactly what and WHO he has been, is, and will be as time moves forward, all while having to embark on the endeavor to deliver the joy he’s known for. Yet, for all the joy this brings to so many, there’s a more impactful and sobering side to this tale that provides a surprisingly strong and most assuredly apropos viewpoint about a core theme that the unexpected and/or unsettling news can happen to the even the best of us, and that it is part of what MAKES us human, even if in this case we’re dealing with a much more long-lived persona. How the film addresses the enormity of what’s transpiring through the eyes of those closest to him also adds to the compelling nature of the messages being conveyed, leading to a finale that is, to say the least, utterly heart-rending, challenging, and VERY persuasively uplifting all at once.
The thematic forays here highlight genuine empathy, compassion, kindness, working for something larger than ourselves, seeing others in pain be made better, maintaining a focus of service and joy, facing adversity with courage, reflecting on who we have been and how it’s continued to shape us, the nature of selflessness and humbleness to connect with ALL people, holding deeper appreciation for where we came from, the power of comfort and support in times of need, the realities of sadness, loneliness, and brokenness in the world and the associated balm of inward healing that’s so desperately sought for and needed, and showcasing a willingness to confront truths regardless of how difficult they might be but then make effort to stay positive, on task, and relish every moment. It’s a completely unambiguous study in everything we truly should be striving for in this life, and hence WHY I am so grateful for indie filmmakers that also pursue positively themed projects, since this society has enough darkness, anger, hate, and polarizing things as it is. We NEED so much more peace, love, and unity to make the soul HAPPY.
There is no dialogue present here, and for me, it’s one more factor that allows this film to engage, captivate, and reverberate within you from start to finish. The claymation animation utilized here is a fantastic tribute to the film’s influences, for me primarily akin to, in more recent times, Aardman Animations that brought us the whimsy and wonder of this style of claymation through “Wallace & Gromit”, “Shaun the Sheep”, “Chicken Run”, and the like. Diamant deftly allows this to shine forth through her animated characters here, and they carry that same quantity of delightful, endearing charm while also being created to illustrate the more serious and weighty messages this film portrays. The uncomplicated (though VERY intricately time-consuming) nature of the imagery provided here is stunning frankly, and you get so swept up in it all that, as mentioned above, the box of tissues had better be nearby when you permit the narrative to strike you with its emotional intensity as intended. Plus, the film’s music score is a total nod to the masters of emotively splendid tones, Disney, as it is beautifully atmospheric, ethereal, and stirring.
This will be a film that just needs to be watched and, this critic hopes, pondered, its principals applied, and that SHOULD transcend personal beliefs or faiths, as these are concepts to be unconstrainedly, consummately embraced by ANYONE and EVERYONE. So, in total, “The Magic of Santa Claus” is a triumph, resounding, rising, and yes, MAGICAL, echoing into a world that requires ALL the story has to offer and then some. Whether you believe in Santa Claus or not, we can ALL take the example of St. Nicholas and try to BE that in SOME form to others, a portrait of HOPE rather than harbingers of self-serving isolation and misguided ignorance. For if we STOP or IGNORE the innate ability to HELP our fellow man or woman by even being an extension of what individuals like St. Nicholas represent and have carried forth, then we might truly be a world lost. Let’s all pray that forgiveness, gentleness, and adoration never fade, but only grow stronger.
STAR RATING (out of 5):
As always, this is all for your consideration and comment. Until next time, thank you for reading!
