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12-year-old Newbury actor's German Christmas commercial goes viral




SHOPPERS all over Europe are getting a tear in their eye and a warm glow in their heart after viewing a German supermarket group’s viral Christmas commercial – but few will know that one of the stars is in fact a young actor from Newbury.

Sophie Ainsworth, aged 12, plays a central part in the 2022 Christmas commercial for Kaufland, a hypermarket chain which has 1,500 stores in Germany, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Poland, Romania, Bulgaria, Croatia and Moldova.

The Trinity School pupil spent a week in July filming the advert just outside Bulgaria’s capital city of Sofia, having landed the role following auditions with Austrian director Thomas Garber.

Sophie, left, in the Kaufland advert
Sophie, left, in the Kaufland advert

In the advert, called 'Der Zaun' – which translates as 'The Fence' – Sophie plays the daughter of a well-to-do family who move into a house next door to a run-down mobile home occupied by a boy and his mother.

Despite her father’s disapproval, the girl starts playing with her new neighbour, and opens her parents’ eyes to the importance of friendship.

The commercial has received more than six million views on YouTube alone, with viewers commenting that it brought tears to their eyes, and made them reflect on the importance of overcoming borders and prejudices.

The families come together in the Kaufland advert
The families come together in the Kaufland advert

“Filming the commercial was so exciting,” said Sophie. “It was amazing working with a big film crew, and everyone really looked after me.

“I got on really well with Fletcher, who plays my friend in the advert, and am looking forward to seeing him soon in “Harry Potter and the Cursed Child” in the West End – he’s playing the young Harry Potter!”

Sophie, who is represented by BBM Young Performers talent agency and attends classes at Razzamataz Theatre School, said that she enjoyed her behind-the-scenes glimpse at filmmaking magic, including fake snow and a body double to ensure the long actors didn’t work more than their allowed hours.

Sophie and her co-star Fletcher
Sophie and her co-star Fletcher

“It was funny having to wear winter clothes in July for the snow scenes,” she said. “Luckily the weather wasn’t too hot that week, otherwise I might have melted.”

Sophie’s mother, Catriona Reeves, said she was amazed by her daughter’s acting skills and professionalism.

“Her concentration is amazing,” she said. “Some of the shoots had to take place in the dark, which of course in July meant late at night, but Sophie never lost focus. She even had a nosebleed at one point, but somehow managed to hold it in for a few moments until the director said “cut!”

“I enjoyed sneaking towards the set, or into the production office, and watching Sophie at work. She is so natural in front of the camera. Even I got a bit emotional watching some of the scenes – I can see why the advert has struck such a chord with viewers.”

Watch the ad on https://bit.ly/3W05hbS

Kaufland, which is owned by Lidl’s parent company Schwarz Gruppe, has a history of impactful Christmas campaigns, with its 2015 Star Wars-themed commercial, also directed by Thomas Garber, receiving international recognition.



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