Director Gerard de Thame has joined Humble for commercial representation in the U.S. and Canada. Based in London, de Thame was previously handled in the U.S. by Supply&Demand. He continues to maintain Gerard de Thame Films in London for the U.K. and Europe.
De Thame has helmed hundreds of commercials throughout his career, working with brands including Nike, Adidas, American Express, Microsoft, Samsung, Audi, Volvo, Gatorade, Coca-Cola, ESPN, and GE. His work has earned top honors from assorted industry award shows; notably, his “Modern Ark” spot for Mercedes-Benz and “Synchronicity” for Volkswagen were also nominated for the Emmy Award for Outstanding Commercial in 2001 and 1999, respectively. “Synchronicity” was also honored at the AICP Show. Additionally, his Mercedes-Benz commercial, “Falling in Love Again” for Lowe & Partners/SMS, which traces the automaker’s famed history as owners, assembly line workers and racers sing along with Marlene Dietrich’s iconic tune, was honored at the 1998 AICP Show, becoming part of the New York Museum of Modern Art’s (MoMA) permanent film collection. De Thame’s body of work ranges from intimate character-driven stories to expansive effects-savvy campaigns.
Most recently, de Thame directed the first-ever national ad campaign for Whole Foods Market. Working with a small crew, shooting in an unobtrusive documentary style, and eschewing actors in favor of capturing the chain’s real-world food suppliers, the result is an authentic campaign with cinematic visuals. The campaign signaled a successful shift in tone and scope for de Thame, and the smaller crew gave him the opportunity to personally handle some of the cinematography as well.
Eric Berkowitz, founder and president of Humble, said of de Thame, “I think he is poised to really surprise us in the months and years to come. He is exploring a different version of himself that’s more raw and introspective. I’m looking forward to partnering with Gerard and seeing what he has in store.”
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