So, real talk: the world is pretty much going to sh*t right now. But the good news is that there’s still plenty of small moments of joy in life to put a much-needed smile on your face. Today, one of those small mood-boosting moments comes in the form of a festive advert (because even the ‘rona can’t stop the season of Christmas adverts).
This year, online retail giant Amazon have gone with a heartwarming yet topical Christmas advert, focusing on a ballerina whose performance in cancelled because of Coronavirus.
In the 2 minute clip, the dancer is given the starring role in an upcoming performance and proceeds to practice determinedly all around the house, outdoors and virtually via Zoom, but is left devastated when she and her family are told to ‘stay at home’ in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Seeing how crushed she is by the cancellation, the ballerina’s family start getting to work organising a special one-off performance called ‘The Show Must Go On’. Wearing face coverings, they begin distributing leaflets to friends and neighbours. The dancer is then seen dancing in her ballet costume in the show, performing a beautiful piece for her self-isolating neighbours. They watch her out of the window before stepping outside to applaud.
Basically, it’s the heartwarming, uplifting video we all needed to watch today. And also we now all want to become ballerinas.
The advert stars French ballet dancer Taïs Vinolo, who commented: “When I was growing up in the French countryside, there were no young black girls studying ballet with hair like mine, or even on TV, meaning I had no one to identify myself with. Being on this shoot helped so much with this, enabling me to own who I really am, who I want to be and what I represent.”
Simon Morris, Amazon’s VP Global Creative, also added: “Our TV ad is inspired by, and pays tribute to, the unbeatable human spirit and the power of community that we have witnessed so often this year”.
Watch the Amazon Christmas advert on 3rd November during the first ad break of The Great British Bake Off on Channel 4, or via YouTube below…