Live action production company Strange Loop Studios has added Italian directing duo ES.POIRE to its roster for exclusive commercial representation in the U.S. This marks the helming team’s first career representation in the American market.
The Milan-based pair consists of Marzia De Clercq and Filippo Nava. From their initial collaboration on a short film in 2009, the couple has flourished working side-by-side, growing their rhythmic style, camera techniques and family. They bind her focus on talent and meticulous art direction with his emphasis on operating the camera to elicit emotion via natural flowing cinematography and authentically rooted storytelling.
“We like to tell stories,” mused Nava. “For us, every project is an opportunity to do something beautiful, connecting cinema with advertising.”
De Clercq added, “What we love most is reconstructing the vital randomness of reality, organizing the direction so that every little part of the story is controlled, but always very authentic and alive.”
The multi-lingual directors have created moving pictures in their native Italian as well as English and French. Together, they have made their mark on global brands and lensed commercials across the world with a client list that includes Bic, Bialetti, Four Seasons and Vans.
“The unified work of ES.POIRE offers a fluid visual and emotional richness that elevates storytelling in ways that will no doubt translate to our clients and their audiences both stateside and across the globe,” said Strange Loop EP Luca Valente. “Curating different voices in our industry is a continuous goal, and bringing Marzia and Filippo to the U.S. market is an extra proud moment for me, as a first-generation Italian-American. I am delighted to have them on the Strange Loop team.”
In a joint statement, the duo shared their enthusiasm for being presented in the U.S. market, noting, “We strongly believe that our partnership with Strange Loop will be crucial in showcasing our work in the best way: the strong affinity we feel with the production will be the key to face new challenges with empathy and energy.”
As for the duo’s moniker, “ES” in Italian is the Freudian “Id” (unconscious desire and instinct) and “POIRE” is pear (which the directors regard as the most sensual and juiciest fruit) in French. Together, they sound like the French term “espoir” aka “hope”–an homage to their hope of a bigger cinematic influence in advertising!
ES.POIRE joins Strange Loop Studio’s roster which is repped by Hapa in the East Coast, SG+Partners in the Midwest, and Yvette Represents on the West Coast.
Rom-Com Mainstay Hugh Grant Shifts To The Dark Side and He’s Never Been Happier
After some difficulties connecting to a Zoom, Hugh Grant eventually opts to just phone instead.
"Sorry about that," he apologizes. "Tech hell." Grant is no lover of technology. Smart phones, for example, he calls the "devil's tinderbox."
"I think they're killing us. I hate them," he says. "I go on long holidays from them, three or four days at at time. Marvelous."
Hell, and our proximity to it, is a not unrelated topic to Grant's new film, "Heretic." In it, two young Mormon missionaries (Chloe East, Sophie Thatcher) come knocking on a door they'll soon regret visiting. They're welcomed in by Mr. Reed (Grant), an initially charming man who tests their faith in theological debate, and then, in much worse things.
After decades in romantic comedies, Grant has spent the last few years playing narcissists, weirdos and murders, often to the greatest acclaim of his career. But in "Heretic," a horror thriller from A24, Grant's turn to the dark side reaches a new extreme. The actor who once charmingly stammered in "Four Weddings and a Funeral" and who danced to the Pointer Sisters in "Love Actually" is now doing heinous things to young people in a basement.
"It was a challenge," Grant says. "I think human beings need challenges. It makes your beer taste better in the evening if you've climbed a mountain. He was just so wonderfully (expletive)-up."
"Heretic," which opens in theaters Friday, is directed by Scott Beck and Bryan Woods, co-writers of "A Quiet Place." In Grant's hands, Mr. Reed is a divinely good baddie — a scholarly creep whose wry monologues pull from a wide range of references, including, fittingly, Radiohead's "Creep."
In an interview, Grant spoke about these and other facets of his character, his journey... Read More