Brit retailer John Lewis may get all the accolades for its annual Christmas epic, however, when it comes to brave and daring all eyes should be on the Norway’s postal service, Posten, who’ve one again delivered a Christmas cracker.
This year, Posten’s annual festive spot is called “When Harry met Santa” and features possibly our first-ever gay Father Christmas!
The work of creative agency POL and produced by B-Reel Films, the name is a play on the 1989 classic film When Harry Met Sally while the ad not only celebrates Christmas but 50 years since Norway decriminalised homosexuality, too.
In the creative, we meet a lonely man called Harry who develops a relationship with Santa over many years until the two finally get the courage to kiss.
It’s a beautifully shot piece of work and comes in both a 45-second version and an almost four-minute version too. Check out both below:
And the much longer version…
Thankfully, social media users loved the sentiment and the bravery of the work. Although there was some concern for Mrs Claus’ welfare.
One person tweeted: “Loved it. so heartfealt and wonderful. makes you want to see a movie length version.”
Another wrote: “Beautiful sentiment.”
Somebody else took to Twitter: “Awh my heartttt.”
Another wag added: “Mrs Claus is going to be pissed off when she gets some incriminating cell phone video from a disgruntled elf.”
Monica Solberg, marketing director at Posten, said: “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?
“Diversity is important for Posten, and truly a matter of the heart. Posten is a diverse workplace with great variation in terms of age, gender, religion, sexual orientation and ethnicity. Everyone should feel welcome, seen, heard and included. This year’s Christmas ad embraces this.”
