Saville Productions has signed multifaceted director Julien Zenier for his first commercial and branded entertainment representation in the U.S. Zenier is a visually-driven director with credits across a wide range of genres including high-fashion, fragrance, lifestyle, luxury cars and music. His work spans such brands as BMW, Levi’s, Agent Provocateur, Peugeot, Thierry Mugler and Azzaro. He has also collaborated with agencies including JWT, TBWA, Y&R and Publicis EtNous.
After attending film school in Madrid, French native Zenier honed his craft through a diverse collection of projects, including his filmmaking debut, the short titled SNIP which drew praise on the film festival circuit. He later relocated to Paris where he collaborated on top fragrance and fashion campaigns.
Drawn to projects that bring artistry to light, Zenier has also directed music videos for independent artists, and has published his photography in the art book “Tierra and Sacred.”
“Julien’s work can be seen across a wide-range of industries. His creative versatility and filmmaking experience is truly impressive,” said Saville Productions executive producer Rupert Maconick. “His unique understanding of branded content for global brands combined with his multifaceted skill set is perfectly suited for today’s advertising industry.”
Zenier, who currently splits his time between Paris and Barcelona, said he was drawn to Saville’s talented roster of filmmakers, its support team and track record of “producing cinematic quality entertainment in the advertising world.”
Saville has produced hundreds of content projects for major brands with high-profile filmmakers, including: Martin Campbell (Casino Royale), Werner Herzog (Grizzly Man) and Fernando Meirelles (City Of God).
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