Park Pictures has signed French director Laurent Chanez for U.S. and U.K. representation. His body of work–ranging from stirring montages to striking automotive and beauty/fashion fare–includes spots for such brands as Benetton, Nike, Lexus, L’OrĂ©al, Hyundai, Sky TV, Pepsi and Peugeot. Chanez’s widely heralded “Unhate” for Benetton was featured at the 2013 TED Conference and his spot for French fragrance “Flower by Kenzo” earned an Epica Award. Beyond commercials, Chanez has directed longer form content, including the short film Forme, which was an official selection at the Buenos Aires Film Festival and the Plantin-Paris Film Festival.
Chanez grew up in Eastern France and studied graphic design, illustration and photography at Paris Esag Penninghen School. After graduation, he made the move to Los Angeles and leveraged his design and art direction background to begin directing commercials and music videos. Within a few years, his inspired work gained international recognition, both in European and American markets. Chanez, who was last represented in the U.S. by Identity, divides his time between Paris and New York and continues to develop his evocative visual style through commercials and other film disciplines such as documentaries, short films and art projects.
“We have watched Laurent’s career develop and evolve over the past decade,” said Jackie Kelman Bisbee, Park Pictures executive producer/owner. “We’re always impressed with his artfully powerful films, whether they’re for a car brand or a fashion brand. He’s truly an international talent.”
Chanez added, “It is an honor to join such a well established and renowned production company as Park Pictures. I am passionate about keeping things in motion and always trying new things. Their diverse body of exceptional work will be an exciting opportunity for me to expand that passion.”
Review: Writer-Director Aaron Schimberg’s “A Different Man”
Imagine you could wake up one morning, stand at the mirror, and literally peel off any part of your looks you don't like — with only movie-star beauty remaining.
How would it change your life? How SHOULD it change your life?
That's a question – well, a launching point, really — for Edward, protagonist of Aaron Schimberg's fascinating, genre-bending, undeniably provocative and occasionally frustrating "A Different Man," featuring a stellar trio of Sebastian Stan, Adam Pearson and Renate Reinsve.
The very title is open to multiple interpretations. Who (and what) is "different"? The original Edward, who has neurofibromatosis, a genetic disorder that causes bulging tumors on his face? Or the man he becomes when he's able to slip out of that skin? And is he "different" to others, or to himself?
When we meet Edward, a struggling actor in New York (Stan, in elaborate makeup), he's filming some sort of commercial. We soon learn it's an instructional video on how to behave around colleagues with deformities. But even there, the director stops him, offering changes. "Wouldn't want to scare anyone," he says.
On Edward's way home on the subway, people stare. Back at his small apartment building, he meets a young woman in the hallway, in the midst of moving to the flat next door. She winces visibly when she first sees him, as virtually everyone does.
But later, Ingrid (Reinsve) tries to make it up to him, coming over to chat. She is charming and forthright, and tells Edward she's a budding playwright.
Edward goes for a medical checkup and learns that one of his tumors is slowly progressing over the eye. But he's also told of an experimental trial he could join. With the possibility — maybe — of a cure.
So... Read More