Global independent creative agency GUT has appointed Christian Buer as executive creative director and Natalie Street as head of accounts in its Toronto office. Buer will lead the creative team alongside ECD Brynna Aylward. Both Street and Buer will be based in Toronto and will report to managing director and partner Ryan O’Hagan. Juan Javier Peña Plaza also oversees the office as partner and North America CCO. Buer has spent the last 12+ years working to bridge the disciplines of design and advertising, and has worked at leading agencies in Canada for brands including McDonald’s, Toyota, HomeSense and KFC. Over Street’s nearly 15 years of experience, she has built her career at Toronto agencies including DDB and TAXI. Additionally, she has been a partner to some of Canada’s biggest brands, including Canadian Tire, Boston Pizza, Rogers Canada, Manulife and now, Tim Hortons. In 2022, GUT Toronto also won a Cannes Lion award for the “TimBiebs” campaign, which was the first-ever Lion for both the agency and Tim Hortons. The campaign also received the Grand Effie at the Canadian Effie Awards, among other top honors. GUT’s global independent creative network has offices in Miami, Buenos Aires, São Paulo, Toronto, Mexico City, Los Angeles and Amsterdam….
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