Santa's midlife crisis, but make it Russian and unhinged.
Father Frost decides to quit his profession in order to live for himself in his old age. Having relinquished his powers, he leaves Veliky Ustyug for Moscow, goes on a rampage, finds new friends and falls in love for the first time. Attempts to bring the old man to his senses and return him to his normal life by his family - Mother Winter, Stuzha, Metelitsa and Buran - end in failure. This new stage of his life is recorded by a group of documentary filmmakers, and no one suspects what will happen when Father Frost loses his magical powers...
Acting
Igor Gordin's unhinged take on a mythical icon.
Direction
Mockumentary framing of magical realism works surprisingly well.
Director
Stepan Azaryan
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Ded Moroz (Father Frost) is Russia's Santa equivalent, traditionally living in Veliky Ustyug—this film literally exiles him from his official government-endorsed residence.
The 24-minute runtime suggests this was either a festival submission or a failed pilot for a series—explaining the abrupt ending where powers fade.
RU
