Pauls Weihnachtswunsch (2018)

For nine-year-old Paul, Christmas is different for the first time: After his parents’ separation, he moves with his heavily pregnant mother, Maya, from their luxurious home in the quiet suburbs to live with her new boyfriend, Julius, and his daughter, Lilly, in the big city of Berlin. While the artist Maya and lifeguard Julius do everything they can to help Paul adjust to the new situation, he secretly mourns the familiar trio he had at his old home. He finds someone to confide in in Leonidas, a life-sized wooden angel his mother created. One evening, when Paul tells Leonidas about his troubles on the balcony, a miracle happens: After an accidental fall through his bedroom wall that ends happily, Paul discovers that he can walk through walls. At first, he uses his newfound ability for all kinds of mischief. He sneaks into the room of his “bonus sister” Lilly, spies on the Christmas presents that have been put away, plays pranks on the neighbors, makes his dictation temporarily disappear at school so it can be corrected, and steals a few items from the toy shop next door. When Kofi, the owner of the convenience store downstairs and Paul’s confidant, tells him that magic should only be used to do good, Paul decides to use his gift to fulfill his greatest wish: for Maya and his father, Matz, to get back together. But Paul’s efforts to reunite his parents using his ability only bring even greater unhappiness to everyone involved: Matz decides to go ahead with the Christmas trip Paul secretly canceled, while Julius, after a misunderstanding and an argument with his ex-wife, Joana, brought about by Paul, packs his bags and temporarily moves out of the apartment they share with Lilly. Maya then decides to get rid of Leonidas. When her labor begins as he is being taken away, Paul uses his abilities to get word to Julius at work and trace his mother’s calls. Together with Matz and Lilly, they find Maya in her car on the edge of a secluded wooded area, just before she is due to give birth. Paul breaks into an empty house, and shortly afterward his half-sister is born. With his sister’s birth, his gift disappears too, and Paul realizes that his parents’ separation was for the best for both families. A few days later, the blended family gathers in their apartment to celebrate Christmas together with Matz and Joana.