As traditional Christmas stories go, Santa Claus is married to Mrs. Claus, who takes care of their house in the North Pole while her husband delivers toys to children around the world. But what if there is no Mrs. Claus, because Santa is actually gay?

That is the premise of the latest holiday film from Posten (The Norwegian Postal Service), which has become known for subverting classic Christmas tales in its advertising.

“When Harry Met Santa,” created by the Norwegian agency POL, follows a man named Harry who accidentally discovers Santa in his home one Christmas Eve. They lock eyes in a moment of instant attraction, but before speaking to each other Santa quickly disappears up the chimney to continue his annual mission.

From then on, Harry anticipates Santa’s return every Christmas. When he wakes up one Christmas Eve to find Santa watching him sleep, it is obvious that the magical gift-giver feels a connection, too. They grow closer over the years, with Santa promising Harry every Christmas Eve, “I’ll be back next year.”

Finally, tired of their long separations, Harry writes Santa a letter confessing his love: “All I want for Christmas is you.” That year, Santa arranges help from the elves to deliver gifts, so he can be with Harry instead.

The love story celebrates the upcoming 50th anniversary (on June 17, 2022) since Norway abolished a law prohibiting same sex relations.

“It is so nice to see that we have created a new tradition at Posten, looking into Christmas institutions and folklore from different perspectives, with a grand Christmas ad every year. And what better way to follow up last year’s angry Santa than with pure love this year." Monica Solberg, Marketing Director at Posten.


CREDITS
Client: Posten (The Norwegian Postal Service).
Marketing Director: Monica Solberg.

Agency: POL (Oslo, Norway).
Copywriter: Rikke Sofie Jacobsen.
Art Director: Pia Emilie Lystad.
Account Director: Marius Eriksen.
Account Manager: Kristin E.B. Scheele.
Design/Motion: Ole Jacob Bøe Skattum.

Film Production: B-Reel Films.
Director: Sacarias Kiusalaas.
Producer: Anisa Dzindo.
DOP: Tim Lorentzén.
Executive Producer: Rikard Åström.
Editor: Nils Andersson.
Sound: Calle Budde Roos/Ponytail.
Grade: Oskar Larsson/Tint.
VFX: HaymakerFX.
Online: Evelina Åström/Tint.
Music: Stockholm Music Gymnasium Youth Choir 22.

свернуть