McDonald’s is famous for its heartstring-tugging family snapshots. Little films full of joy. This McDonald’s film by Leo’s Thjnk Tank and director, Sune Sorenson, isn’t full of joy. It’s a family drama about a young girl lost in a busy train station. Fear not, there is a happy ending, although it’s difficult to decide whether the young girl should be punished or applauded.
Either way, it’s a memorable untraditional diversion from the traditional Christmas mush.
Director, Sune Sorensen, commented, “I absolutely love the traditional Christmas spots with their heartfelt stories, and I do believe we have an equally heartwarming message in our film, but I personally tend to prefer more dramatic Christmas movies, like It’s a Wonderful Life, because they impact me more. Albeit atypical for a TVC, not least during Christmas, I felt we have space for drama in this type of advertising too.”
The film was shot in Budapest with actors, Miranda Nolan, Chris Ryman and Luciana Akpobaro. The Scottish Christmas song, Auld Lang Syne, was re-recorded by musician Eve Polycarpou, who was cast as the busker in the film as well.
Sorensen continued, “Any film is about acting for me. I don’t care how elaborate the set design or how extensive the project, if the acting falls short I don’t know why we are even doing it. The human component means everything to me and that became particularly interesting on this film, because it encapsulates the directive itself: Our ability to see humanity, to stop, and to care.”
This is the first ever Christmas branding film for McDonald’s and marks a second collaboration between Leo’s Thjnk Tank and Sune Sorensen for the client. Earlier this year, Sorensen directed the spot Ralphie, which was the most successful Happy Meal promotion in the last ten years according to agency executive creative director, Hans-Peter Sporer.
Sune Sorensen & Leo’s Thjnk Tank: A Happy Meal toy and the magic of a boy’s imagination
McDonald’s Christmas film is running on TV, cinema and online.
Credits
Production: TPfilm
Director: Sune Sorensen
DoP: Rasmus Heise
Executive Producer: Carlo Walther
Producer: Nicolas Mirbach
Steadicam: Karsten Jacobsen
Casting Director: Michael Cox @ Hammond Cox Casting, London
Post-Production: Sehsucht
Grading: Mike Bothe
Sound & Music: Ballad (Gregers Music), Copenhagen & m-sound, Munich
Musician: Eve Polycarpou
Production Service: Filmteam Kft.
Executive Producer: István Major
Producer: Péter Fülöp
Set Designer: Attila “Digi” Kővári
Stylist: Diana Marton & Ildiko Ando
Agency: Leo’s Thjnk Tank
Executive Creative Director: Hans-Peter Sporer
Creative Director Copywriter: Janne Sachse
Account Director: Yasmin Gibbah
Chief Production Officer: Thomas Nabbefeld
Agency Producer: Tobias Saalmann
Client: McDonald’s
Chief Marketing Officer: Susan Schramm
Director Marketing: Jörn Winkler
Department Head Marketing: Stephanie Blum
Senior Team Manager: Tatjana Uher
