【明報專訊】A tear-jerking (催淚的) Christmas short firm produced in 2014 has gone viral online in recent days. Fans of the video say the creator should be hired by John Lewis, a chain of high-end department stores operating throughout the UK, to make their next festive advert.

The short film named "Love is a Gift" was originally made by British filmmaker Phil Beastall. Made on a budget of just 50 British pounds (around HK$500), the film depicts (描述) a man patiently waiting for Christmas to arrive so that he can open a special gift from a loved one. When Christmas finally arrives, the man opens up a cassette box and listens to a tape of his mother's final Christmas message. His late mother has recorded several tapes for him to listen to every year on Christmas following her death.

Beastall was inspired to share the film again after seeing the expensive John Lewis's 2018 Christmas advert starring legendary singer Elton John. "You don't always need a huge budget, just an impactful narrative that gets the message across." says Beastall.

(sources: Ming Pao, Independent, Dailymail)

■Game

What is Santa Claus riding in the Christmas lighting decoration? Unscramble the letters and find out the answer.

■Quiz

Choose the correct answers.

1. People like Beastall's short film because it is (funny/touching/exciting).

2. John Lewis is...

A. a filmmaker

B. a singer

C. a department store

D. an actor

(Answers on next text)

■English highway﹕High-end

"High-end" is usually used before a noun, referring to products or services that are more expensive and of better quality. The opposite is "low-end".

e.g. This brand is best-known of the high-end tableware.

■Glossary

advert (n) 廣告

tape (n) 錄音帶

impactful (adj) 具影響力

narrative (n) 敘述

[Smarties' Power English 第233期]