In this spot, director Steve Ayson takes home a lion, a scenario that sounds like a dream come true for a commercialmaker. But the “Lion” in this case isn’t a Gold, Silver or Bronze statuette at Cannes–at least not yet. Instead it’s the king of the beasts as this :30, titled “Lion,” opens on a car driving through a wild animal safari park.
In the front seats are mom and dad, the latter behind the wheel. In the backseat are their two kids and grandmother. A lion approaches the vehicle and then jumps onto its hood, much to the family’s ooohing and aaahing amazement–except for the grandma who’s pretty much oblivious to everything.
Indeed seeing a lion up close and personal through the windshield glass is quite an experience. Its brush with nature concluded, the family remains in the car, which is now seen zipping through city streets. A pedestrian takes a long, anything-but-casual look at the automobile as it passes him. However, we’re not sure what that glance was about. Meanwhile the family has broken into a chorus of “The Lion Sleeps Tonight.”
The car then moves from city streets to suburbia. It’s when we go residential that the camera reveals that the lion is perched on the top of the car. Unaware of their wildlife companion, the family continues to sing. The vehicle proceeds up the driveway of their home. The automatic garage door opens and we see the car pull into the house’s attached garage.
As the family slips out of view–and possibly out of existence–a supered message reads, “Just call us,” followed by the appearance of a Central Beheer insurance company logo, accompanied by phone number and Web site adddress.
“Lion” was directed by Steve Ayson of The Sweet Shop, Auckland, New Zealand, for agency DDB Amsterdam. The job was produced via Czar.nl, Amsterdam, with production support from Stilking Films, Prague. Czar’s executive producer Sybrig Stork produced the job. The DP was Piotr Kukla.
DDB Amsterdam creatives were Sanne Braam and Sikko Gerkema, with Chantel Gulpers serving as agency producer.
Visual effects artist was Daisy Hulsken at Hectic Electric, Amsterdam. Amsterdam-based editor Marc Bechtold cut the spot. Billy Wychel of AVP, Amstelveel, Holland, was the colorist.
Sound designer was Reinder van Zalk of Farforce, Amsterdam. Hans Brower of Massive Music, Amsterdam, was the arranger.
Principal actors were Jennifer Wagner-Withers, Dave Mounfield, Orlando Byron, Liliana de Jouvencel and Pat Worth.