33 Animals of Santa Claus

A gentle portrait of kindness, solitude and life shared with thirty three animals

This film is an intimate portrait of a Latvian woman who calls herself Santa Claus and shares her modest fourth floor apartment with thirty three animals. Her companions include seven dogs, six cats, two rabbits, a crow, a pigeon, a chinchilla, ten degu rats and several fish. Far from an idealised vision of harmony, her daily life is demanding and often chaotic. Feeding, brushing, entertaining and taking the animals outside in groups fills her days and leaves little room for rest. As she herself admits, living this way can feel like residing in a madhouse.

Filmed in black and white, the documentary observes her routines with patience and restraint. Moments of calm alternate with bursts of noise and agitation, reflecting how closely the behaviour of the animals mirrors that of humans. The dark interior of the apartment contrasts with the snow covered streets outside, yet Santa Claus moves between these worlds with the same openness and gentle presence. Beyond her care for animals, she also dresses as Santa Claus and walks through the neighbourhood, offering sweets to children in exchange for a poem or a song.

The film deliberately avoids explaining her past or offering psychological conclusions. Instead, it invites the viewer to decide whether to accept what is shown at face value or to question her motivations and mental balance. Understated camera work and unhurried editing create space for quiet humour and subtle observations, while the monochrome imagery highlights textures, faces and the striking contrast between black and white animals. In doing so, 33 Animals of Santa Claus becomes a disarming meditation on kindness, belief and the enduring power of a modern myth.