People, Pixels and Production

The picture on the left is from my dad’s home movies of 1967. It’s my grandfather, dressed in a Santa Clause outfit made by my grandmother. It was an old tradition at home. On Christmas day, a relative dressed as Santa would walk down the street, check his long list and come into our house with our presents.

Picture on the right: that’s me, December 25^th, 2007. Forty years later. This year, my mother asked me to stroll around the block with this same suit to wave at the kids at my aunt’s house as well as walk by my parent’s house for my own kids.

I never met my grandfather. He died in 1970, a year before I was born. My grandmother passed away just a few weeks ago and I had to get the costume in the house she lived in for the past 60 years, now very empty. It was awkward and a bit sad for me, but everything changed when I walked out of the house in full gear.

The neighborhood was very festive; people were waving to me as I was walking along. My aunt was on her balcony with her family and her 4 grand children were thrilled. At my parents’ house, my daughter and son were overjoyed to see Santa walking down the street. It was just a short walk in a Santa Clause outfit about half a century old, but it was above all a big dose of fulfillment.

Happy Holidays to all. I hope 2008 will bring you joy, happiness and prosperity.

Marc Bourbonnais