33 Animals of Santa Claus

This is a film portrait of a Latvian woman named Santa Claus, who shares her apartment with 33 animals: seven dogs, six cats, two rabbits, one crow, one pigeon, one chinchilla, 10 degu rats, and five fish. It's not the most obvious choice for a way of life, acknowledges the woman in question: "I tell you, it's like living in a madhouse." This cheerful menagerie Santa Claus has created keeps her fully occupied. The animals need to be fed, brushed, kept amused and taken out for exercise in groups. Moments of calm alternate with moments of great agitation; the animals are much like humans in the way stories are played out between them. In , the dark interior of the apartment and the snow-covered streets are two different worlds. But the same does not apply to Santa Claus, who interacts with her neighbors outside in much the same way as she does with her animals. The black-and-white cinematography emphasizes the composition, and there are particularly beautiful shots of the black cats and white cats. The camera work and editing are gently paced, with the director taking time for her subject. This creates the space for countless subtle jokes.