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.
Review: Writer-Directors Scott Beck and Bryan Wood’s “Heretic”
"Heretic" opens with an unusual table setter: Two young missionaries from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are discussing condoms and why some are labeled as large even though they're all pretty much a standard size. "What else do we believe because of marketing?" one asks the other.
That line will echo through the movie, a stimulating discussion of religion that emerges from a horror movie wrapper. Despite a second-half slide and feeling unbalanced, this is the rare movie that combines lots of squirting blood and elevated discussion of the ancient Egyptian god Horus.
Our two church members — played fiercely by Sophie Thatcher and Chloe East — are wandering around trying to covert souls when they knock on the door of a sweet-looking cottage. Its owner, Mr. Reed, offers a hearty "Good afternoon!" He welcomes them in, brings them drinks and promises a blueberry pie. He's also interested in learning more about the church. So far, so good.
Mr. Reed is, of course, if you've seen the poster, the baddie and he's played by Hugh Grant, who doesn't go the snarling, dead-eyed Hannibal Lecter route in "Heretic." Grant is the slightly bumbling, bashful and self-mocking character we fell in love with in "Four Weddings and a Funeral," but with a smear of menace. He gradually reveals that he actually knows quite a bit about the Mormon religion — and all religions.
"It's good to be religious," he says jauntily and promises his wife will join them soon, a requirement for the church. Homey touches in his home include a framed "Bless This Mess" needlepoint on a wall, but there are also oddities, like his lights are on a timer and there's metal in the walls and ceilings.
Writer-directors Scott Beck and Bryan Wood — who also... Read More