CHRISTMAS ON THE STREET

CHRISTMAS ON THE STREET - A film by Lola Quivoron

When the magic of Christmas confronts the harsh reality of life on the streets
The new awareness campaign from the Foundation for Housing, created by Rosa Paris
As the holidays approach, while cities sparkle with festive lights and shop windows overflow with toys, the Foundation for Housing wants to remind us of a truth that the magic of Christmas can sometimes make easy to forget: for more than 300,000 people without a home, this period is one of survival.
For the first time, the Foundation for Housing and Rosa Paris have chosen to break away from the conventions of traditional Christmas advertising. This approach positions the Foundation in a space usually occupied by major brands, further strengthening its visibility.
Set against the bright, joyful atmosphere of the holidays, the contrast is all the more striking. A character the crowd passes by… but whom no one truly sees.
At the heart of the film is a Santa Claus unlike any other. His costume is worn and soaked, weighing him down. Around him, everything is colour, warmth, and abundance. For him: cold, noise, and tension. He tries to keep warm, to hide, to protect himself. He walks past brightly lit shop windows that seem to turn their backs on him. Passersby ignore him. Some bump into him. He fades into the background, shrinks back, and endures.
A raw and unsettling portrait of life on the street
The film shows the street as it truly is: harsh, violent, and dangerous - and the toll it takes on those who live there. What if this Santa Claus we pass by with indifference isn’t quite who we imagine When Rosa Paris reworks the Santa Claus myth for the Foundation for Housing, the magic gives way to a cruel and disenchanted reality.
Directed by Lola Quivoron (Rodéo), with cinematography by Paul Guilhaume (winner of the 2025 César Award for Emilia Perez) and produced by Wanda Production, the film delivers a visceral realism, showing the unbearable with unflinching honesty. It reminds us that the people we pass every day are living lives at risk, even during the holiday season.
The campaign will launch on December 17 across digital platforms, cinema, VOD, TV, radio, and social media, aiming to raise awareness and encourage everyone to support the Foundation’s day-to-day work with people experiencing homelessness.