Horace, a 8 years old boy, who still believes in Santa Clause, received as a Christmas gift a day at the mall. What ought to be a normal Christmas day turns into an adventure when Horace loses his mother. He mets John, a pickpocket disguised as Santa Clause, who was in the middle of an illegal operation. Unlike the Santas on TV, John doesn't seem to like children. Althought, the boy is convinced that this is the real Santa Clause and tail of it, causing all sorts of trouble as dangerous, as funny. Finally John finds the magic of Christmas and Horace discovers that miracles indeed, occur.
Acting
Ștefan Bănică Jr.'s gruff-to-tender transformation as reluctant Santa
Production
Chaotic Romanian mall setting feels authentically unhinged
Director
Jesús del Cerro
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
One of Romania's few mainstream Christmas films, it became a seasonal TV staple despite mixed reviews—proving holiday movies don't need critical acclaim to find their audience.
Bogdan Iancu (Horatiu) genuinely believed Ștefan Bănică Jr. was Santa during early filming, which the directors used for authentic reactions in several scenes.
US
