Benji Weinstein directed this Super Bowl spot for the Canadian market which depicts a man driving the open road in a Hyundai Sonata Hybrid. He’s suddenly pursued by two vehicles and a motorcycle straight out of a post-apocalypic movie–along with its drivers.
The Sonata aptly maneuvers in an attempt to elude its scary pursuers who stay doggedly on its tail. Finally, the pursuit vehicles run out of gasoline while the Hyundai Hybrid motors off.
The Sonata driver ends up taking this motley crew to the gas station so they can refuel. He suggests that they’ve taken this “weekend warrior” mantra a tad too far.
“Gaspocalypse” was produced by Steam Films, Toronto, and Tool of North America, Santa Monica and NY. Agency was Innocean Canada.
“We wanted to create a spot that truly measured up on the Super Bowl stage,” said Gary Westgate, sr. VP and executive creative director at Innocean Canada. “And the production company pulled out all the stops to make sure it felt like you’re watching a blockbuster movie.”
DGA Feature Nominees: Audiard, Baker, Berger, Corbet and Mangold
The field of feature nominees for the Directors Guild of America (DGA) Awards spanning two categories is set. Nominated for the DGA honor for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Theatrical Feature Film for 2024 are: Jacques Audiard for Emilia Pérez, Sean Baker for Anora, Edward Berger for Conclave, Brady Corbet for The Brutalist, and James Mangold for A Complete Unknown.
The DGA also revealed the nominees for the Michael Apted Award for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in First-Time Theatrical Feature Film. The first-time narrative feature directors are: Payal Kapadia for All We Imagine as Light, Megan Park for My Old Ass, RaMell Ross for Nickel Boys, Halfdan Ullman Tondel for Armand, and Sean Wang for Diddy.
“2024 has been a truly extraordinary year for storytelling--and today’s nominees have created audacious and unique films that expand the possibilities of cinematic excellence,” said DGA president Lesli Linka Glatter. “I am thrilled to congratulate all our nominated directors for their brilliant work, which is visionary, inspirational and speaks to the depth of the human experience. To be chosen by one’s peers is the true marker of outstanding directorial achievement and what makes these nominations so very special.”
The winners will be announced at the 77th Annual DGA Awards on Saturday, February 8.
Here’s a fuller rundown of the nominees in both DGA Award categories:
THEATRICAL FEATURE FILM
Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Theatrical Feature Film for 2024 (in alphabetical order):
JACQUES AUDIARD
Emilia Pérez
(Netflix)
SEAN... Read More