Dear Santa

Dear Santa
Image source: Google

Ratings: 3.5/5

Duration: 1 Hr 24 Mins

Language: English

Genre: Documentary

Director:  Dana Nachman

Writers:  Dana Nachman

Producers: Erin Conte, Brendan Gaul, Chelsea Matter, Dana Nachman   

Music: Dave Tweedie

Cinematography: Mike Abela, Martina Radwan

Editing: Jennifer Steinman, Sternin

Release Date: 04 December 2020 (USA)

Star Cast: Damion DiGrazia, Orlando Mendez, Andrew Wallace

Plot: Every year, from around the country, thousands of letters from children arrive at the post office for Santa. And through ‘Operation Santa’ the United States Postal Service makes it possible for the children's dreams to come true.

So on Christmas Eve, traveling the country, much like Santa does, the documentary focuses on 'Operation Santa' Centres in metropolitan areas like New York City and others in small towns, where the post office is the heart of the community.

Review: The documentary ‘Dear Santa’ directed by Dana Nachman reminds us of the importance of Santa Claus. He reminds us that hope can burn bright; bright enough for our hopes and dreams to get noticed by someone; someone who can try to do something to make those a reality. And this is something we don’t necessarily think about as much as we grow up because, we are too busy trying to make them exist for ourselves, which means even at times, adults need help!

The documentary kicks off the Holiday season, with an uplifting antidote to one of the darkest Christmas times in years. With a run time of 84 minutes, we are taken into the US Postal Service’s ‘Operation Santa’ program, which takes the letters children send to Santa Claus at the North Pole, and distributes them out to individuals, and organizations, who then try to bring those wishes to life.

In short, the documentary captures the Christmas magic and madness in the weeks before Christmas, and provides a peek behind the curtain of how Santa and his elves make sure every child or adult is heard and their wish is granted.

‘Dear Santa’ has managed to truly highlight how valuable the American tradition of sending letters to Santa is. These letters tend to be “message-in-a-bottle-type” letters, hence shows how postal workers and volunteers who want to give people a ‘Merry Christmas’ work tirelessly. One of my favourites is a man who recalls the excitement he had after getting a clock radio as a kid. He wants to give out that same feeling to everyone he selects to fulfil that hope, and seeing him do everything he can, is definitely one of the most emotionally-satisfying sights in movies in the year 2020.

Overall, with the hardships of this year not yet over, ‘Dear Santa’ is perfectly suitable for all age groups, hence worth watching!