Animation renderings of basketball superstars LeBron James and Yao Ming square off in competition as each is accompanied by symbols of his country. For example, the grizzly bears next to James find panda bear counterparts in close proximity to Ming. After a succession of symbols which show the differences between the two stars and their nations, finally they share something in common with each holding a bottle of Coca-Cola, though the writing on one is English, the other in Chinese.
James and Ming then transform from adversaries into smiling live-action colleagues, swapping bottles and taking a swig of Coke.
This Summer Olympics-themed spot was directed by Smith & Foulkes of Nexus, London, for Wieden + Kennedy, Portland, Ore.
The Wieden team consisted of creative directors Hal Curtis and Sheena Brady, copywriter Dylan Lee, art director Mira Kaddoura and producer Kevin Diller.
Julia Parfitt executive produced for Nexus with Melody Sylvester serving as producer.
DGA Feature Nominees: Audiard, Baker, Berger, Corbet and Mangold
The field of feature nominees for the Directors Guild of America (DGA) Awards spanning two categories is set. Nominated for the DGA honor for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Theatrical Feature Film for 2024 are: Jacques Audiard for Emilia Pérez, Sean Baker for Anora, Edward Berger for Conclave, Brady Corbet for The Brutalist, and James Mangold for A Complete Unknown.
The DGA also revealed the nominees for the Michael Apted Award for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in First-Time Theatrical Feature Film. The first-time narrative feature directors are: Payal Kapadia for All We Imagine as Light, Megan Park for My Old Ass, RaMell Ross for Nickel Boys, Halfdan Ullman Tondel for Armand, and Sean Wang for Diddy.
“2024 has been a truly extraordinary year for storytelling--and today’s nominees have created audacious and unique films that expand the possibilities of cinematic excellence,” said DGA president Lesli Linka Glatter. “I am thrilled to congratulate all our nominated directors for their brilliant work, which is visionary, inspirational and speaks to the depth of the human experience. To be chosen by one’s peers is the true marker of outstanding directorial achievement and what makes these nominations so very special.”
The winners will be announced at the 77th Annual DGA Awards on Saturday, February 8.
Here’s a fuller rundown of the nominees in both DGA Award categories:
THEATRICAL FEATURE FILM
Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Theatrical Feature Film for 2024 (in alphabetical order):
JACQUES AUDIARD
Emilia Pérez
(Netflix)
SEAN... Read More