The Call goes out in late March. That’s when the film of that title will premiere; it features John Malkovich and Naomi Campbell, and was directed by Antoine Fuqua (Training Day, King Arthur). The trailer depicts a gothic thriller: an epic battle between good–Malkovich as a priest–and evil–Naomi Campbell, as what appears to be a fallen angel. The trailer’s tag for the film: “A tale of power. A tale of control.”
The latest Hollywood blockbuster? Not exactly. The Call is the debut film of a new branding effort for Pirelli Tires that will be available at www.pirellifilms.com. Agency Leo Burnett Italy, which has offices in Rome, Milan and Turin, created the film. Fuqua directed the project via bicoastal Anonymous Content, his spotmaking home, and Movie Magic, Milan. The film’s tag actually alludes to the longstanding branding position for the tiremaker: power is nothing without control.
The new online channel, which will be promoted in a multimedia campaign, will offer the tire maker “a strategic platform for brand communications, and not just for the product,” relates Nicola Novellone, the COO for Leo Burnett Italy, and one of the architects of the branded entertainment project. “We told the client, ‘you should consider the Internet as a way to improve your brand image, and really offer entertainment [to consumers], based on your position–power is nothing without control.'”
Novellone relates that the model for Pirelli Films is the Pirelli Calendar, an art piece produced each year. Only 20,000 are printed and distributed to VIPs and influential people globally. The 2006 effort was shot by photographers Mert Alas and Marcus Piggot, and features the likes of Jennifer Lopez, Gisele Bundchen, Guinevere Van Seenus, Kate Moss, Karen Elson, and Natalia Vodianova. The calendar, which has been in existence for 40 years, is a cult favorite. “The idea [behind the films] is exactly the same,” says Novellone, who relates that one film will be released each year.
Aside from the brief teaser, details are scarce on the film’s content. “The story is a gothic thriller,” relates Sergio Rodriguez, executive creative director at the agency, who wrote the film along with Stefano Volpi. Rodriguez relates that the team cast Malkovich as the good axis of the epic showdown in part to cast against type–in much of his feature work, the actor has played the bad guy. Rodriguez jokes that Campbell’s role was “tailor-made” for her, given her reputation for temper tantrums and outsized behavior.
As for the selection of Fuqua, the creative notes, “he is for me one of the most talented directors in the new Hollywood generation. … I read his treatment, and was very inspired. Antoine is very good in directing actors–he does a lot of pre-production. Every single line was rehearsed a thousand times, and we worked a lot with John Malkovich as well in writing the lines.” The film was shot over the course of seven nights in Rome’s Santo Spirito hospital, and in an old industrial warehouse.
Novellone relates that a large, multimedia campaign advertising the film and its Web site will launch next month as part of a major promotional push. He notes that even prior to the announcement of Malkovich and Campbell as the stars of The Call, the Pirelli Films Web site was getting a lot of hits.
Already, the stage is being set for next year’s offering, though the exact genre has yet to be selected. Like the initial offering, it will have as its theme power is nothing without control. Says Novellone: “We are working with a lot of scriptwriters and copywriters worldwide to find the right feel and the right script.”
Robert Eggers and Willem Dafoe Reunite For “Nosferatu”
When Willem Dafoe enjoys working with a filmmaker, he'll often jump at the chance to do it again.
The list of directors with whom the 69-year-old has worked with more than once is extensive, including Wes Anderson,Yorgos Lanthimos,Paul Schrader,Lars von Trier and, now for a third time, Robert Eggers. "If it's good, you come back," Dafoe said plainly.
The pair spoke about Eggers' adaptation of "Nosferatu" that hits theaters Wednesday, some of the challenges they faced making "The Lighthouse" — their first project together released in 2019 — and the unique relationship that exists between actors and directors.
The interview has been edited for clarity and brevity.
Q: Willem, I read that you called Robert after you saw "The Witch." What did you say?
DAFOE: I want to meet you and I want to know who this filmmaker is.
Q: What is it about him that keeps bringing you back?
DAFOE: Well, if it's good, you come back. When I saw "The Witch," I thought, "Wow, this is a film about a period that I'm not particularly knowledgeable about, but I enter it so easily. This is relevant. It's rooted. It's my story. I'm with these people."
That's quite an incredible trick because a lot of period films, they're always pointing to themselves. They're always sending messages. They're always showing. This had a kind of energy and the kind of physicality and sensuality that I thought, "Who does this? I gotta see this guy." And then I had a wonderful experience in "The Lighthouse" and I played a part that was really fun in "The Northman." So, when he wants to do this passion project and offers me this beautiful role of Professor Von Franz, I say,... Read More