I Am Santa Claus

2014

1h 29m

Documentary

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Reviews

68%

100+ Ratings

Audience Score

Cameras record a year in the lives of five bearded professional Santa Claus portrayers.

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kevin c

Documentary that takes a look at not only mall Santa's but the men who live their lives as their alter ego espousing the Christmas spirit year round. Focusing on a few Santa lifers as well as former WWE star and Christmas enthusiast Mick Foley as he goes on a quest to find out how to be a great Santa prior to doing it himself at Santa's Village. Interesting and pretty sweet documentary. Didn't realize there was a town called Santa Claus in Indiana.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

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Audience Member

This will give you the Holiday spirit regardless of the holiday you celebrate. Prepare to have your heart grow three sizes

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/21/23

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Audience Member

People who find joy in the holiday often connect it to the happiness of their youth and how magical it was to believe in Santa Claus. The older you get the harder it is to keep the magic alive as we grow into cynical, jaded adults. Sure, maybe there's a few years when you have kids (or nieces & nephews) and sharing the nostalgic magic is the best way to reconnect with that old joyous feeling. No matter how commercialized or stale it can feel, that feeling of joy is irreplaceable. The men who professionally play Santa on an annual basis are often in the later stages of life. 50-70 is an age range where people are finally feeling more comfortable with who they are, while at the same time wearing thin on their usefulness in the workforce. Playing Santa allows these men to feel useful at an older age while also bringing a great joy to many children and enjoy the spirit of Christmas once again. The rest of the year they still have to blend into society and work while their white beards grow past their collarbones. As a movie this is a mildly amusing watch that doubles as a heart warmer. Some of the Santas are a delight to spend time with and others are just a little too sad, but across the board this should qualify as a good Christmas watch. However, it isn't necessarily a family movie. We meet a gay santa and a swinger Santa opens the floor on debates to whether Santa's personal sex-life should ever be a concern...which could make for an awkward holiday if you've got young children or close minded adults in the room.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

02/14/23

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Audience Member

This hunk of garbage was AWFUL!! 5 Santa clauses??? everyone knows there's only ONE Santa. and these guys don't even live anywhere NEAR the north pole!! This "Documentary" makes it seem like Santa isn't even real!! Udderly redickerous

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

02/06/23

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Audience Member

If parts of this great doc do not make you shed a tear then you are not a human. This is not something to watch with your children but is fantastic. A must see.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/16/23

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Audience Member

I really enjoyed this look inside a variety of different Santas and how they come to be this seasonal icon. They come from all walks of life but share the same passion for spreading joy around the holiday season. Mick Foley's portion of the movie is particularly interesting because he fits in well with the 'all walks of life' part of the movie, because you wouldn't in a million years think someone who made his fame and fortune as a violent professional wrestler, is obsessed with Santa. I really enjoyed the whole thing.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/18/23

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Dan Scully

Cinema76

Serves not just as a look into a little known subculture, but as a timely reminder that the spirit of Christmas is not one relegated to a single month out of the year.

May 9, 2020

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Hunter Lanier

Film Threat

It doesn't make any sense, but everyone's acting like it does, and they seem to be enjoying themselves.

Rated: 8/10

Apr 22, 2020

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Renee Schonfeld

Common Sense Media

Docu about holiday helpers has mature themes, profanity.

Rated: 3/5

Jan 13, 2015

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Serena Fragassi

Under the Radar

[I Am Snata Claus] does a great job at pulling down the beard and showing the true faces of the man everyone thinks they know.

Rated: 7/10

Nov 7, 2014

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Synopsis

Cameras record a year in the lives of five bearded professional Santa Claus portrayers.

Director: Tommy Avallone
Producer: Richard Abramowitz, Joe Amodei, Morgan Spurlock
Production Co: Double Windsor Films
Genre: Documentary
Original Language: English
Release Date (Streaming): Dec 5, 2016
Runtime: 1h 29m

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