Santa Smokes
Directed by Till Schauder (aka Terror) & Chris Valentien
NEWCOMERS AWARD
STUDIO HAMBURG
AUDIENCE AWARD
BERLIN-B FILM FESTIVAL
BEST DIRECTOR
TOKYO INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL
BEST ACTRESS
TOKYO INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL
2003, 81 min, 35mm
In this magical tale, an unsuccessful actor, Johnny Jones (Till Terror), takes the only role he can get - as Santa Claus, handing out flyers on the streets of New York City amidst the Christmas frenzy. Hating this unwanted "lead role", Santa steals, punches, and smokes his way through Manhattan. But even this spiteful St. Nick eventually meets his Angel (Kristy Jean Hulslander), in a fabulously malevolent and quintessentially 21st-century Christmas romance.
"Authentically American"
- THE NEW YORK TIMES
Press
The New York TimesAuthentically American
Japan TimesIngenious
Berlin ZeitungA unique story, great acting and attitude!
Time Out New YorkA charming love affair...a hipster fairy tale.
New York PostBound to put you in a holiday mood.
The Village VoiceElbowing Bad Santa for the same barstool Santa Smokes puts its rival's glossier look and happy ending to shame...Jones-Terror (co-director Till Schauder) spikes his own playfulness with a sizzling, squashed rage...the acting is sound, the murky digicam smash and grab sheen entirely apt for the cacophonous Christmas crush.
TV Guide OnlineThe film has an authentically funky New York City vibe that many homegrown directors are unable to grasp...they manage to capture the essence of the Big Apple in the only way possible: off the cuff and entirely on the fly.