Consider this the counterpart to the classic “I’d Like to Buy the World a Coke” for the YouTube age. Volkswagen and agency Deutsch look to tap into similarly positive, harmonious vibes with their Super Bowl teaser ad, “Sunny Side,” which presents a series of online meltdowns captured in YouTube freakout videos. The folks melting down, though, in “Sunny Side,” take a 180-degree turn of attitude as they get together with reggae musician Jimmy Cliff to sing the kitschy 1960s’ classic “C’mon Get Happy” of Partridge Family fame. The teaser hearkens back to a simpler, more optimistic time when we didn’t let ourselves get bogged down in and by the little things.
The notables who went from meltdown to uplifted in “Sunny Side” include such YouTube celebs as: the Eharmony cat-hugging woman; the sad Packers fan; “Boogie,” the guy who destroys his Xbox because someone called him fat; the baseball coach who throws a tantrum at an umpire; the screaming politician; and the sports mascots who fight each other.
The freakout videos captured were “Cat Girl,” “Packers Girl,” “Xbox Guy,” “Baseball Manager,” “Golfer,” “Political Candidate” and “Winnebago.”
The VW teaser continues a mini-tradition for the advertiser. Last year, its “The Bark Side” was a deft teaser/promo for “The Dog Strikes Back” in which a dog needs to slim down so he can get through his doggy door and chase the new VW Beetle in the great outdoors (with a nod to the 2011 hit VW Super Bowl commercial “The Force” coming at the end when patrons at the Star Wars cantina bar give the new spot a thumbs up–with a little prodding from Darth Vader).
Here’s “Sunny Side” directed by the Perloriain Brothers of MJZ, with visual effects by The Mill:
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