At the heart of the “Every journey makes you stronger” campaign for the Mercedes-Benz GLE SUV is this nearly five-minute film In the long run, a modern family story about a strong woman and mother who is training hard for her dream: taking part in her first ever triathlon. With support from her husband she fights to her physical and mental limits and finally manages to participate in the race. But despite all this success there is an event from her past which is always with her like a dark shadow. The film reveals what this is. The Olympic triathlon champion and two-time winner of Ironman Hawaii, Mercedes-Benz brand ambassador Jan Frodeno, has a guest appearance.
Niclas Larsson directed via Iconoclast Germany. In the long run was shot by Best Cinematography Oscar winner (La La Land) Linus Sandgren, FSF.
Credits
Client Mercedes-Benz GLE Agency antoni_garage, Berlin Matthias Schmidt, managing director creative; Veit Moeller, executive creative director; Christian Kies, Christopher Hoene, Patrick Klebba, creative directors; Mathias Wilke, art director; Matti Lietsch, writer; Niclas Larsson, Matti Lietsch, Mathias Wilke, Patrick Klebba, Christian Kies, Veit Moeller, script development; Andre Kemper, chief creative officer/founder; Dr. Tonio Kroger, managing partner, founder; Jorg Schultheis, managing director; Andreas Mollmann, head of strategy; Stephanie Dzionara, strategy; Sebastian Lyman, campaign concept; Sebastiaan Peters, executive producer. Production Iconoclast Germany, Berlin Niclas Larsson, director; Jan Dressler, exec producer; Bjorn Kruger, producer; Linus Sandgren, DP; Mikael Varhelyi, production designer; Peter Schnellnast, head of production. Production Services PS1, Wien Postproduction Iconoclast Jens Maier-Rote, postproduction supervisor; Carla Luffe, editor. Postproduction Slaughterhouse Berlin Color Company 3, New York Sofie Friis Borup, colorist. Music Interscope, Polydor Ltd, UK Tracks & Fields, music supervisor; Christian-Mix Linzer, Steve Bartlik, music coordinators. Title Track: “Cold Little Heart” Michael Kiwanuka, composer/writer/producer; Dean Josiah Cover, Brian Burton, writers; Inflo, Danger Mouse, producers.
FCB Health New York, an IPG Health company, and SAFE Project have joined forces to create “The Snowball,” a short film that spotlights winter as a common catalyst for dangerous increases in alcohol consumption. In collaboration with creative studio LOBO, “The Snowball” combines a compelling visual metaphor with cutting-edge animation and a haunting soundtrack from Billie Holiday.
As millions embrace “Dry January,” the onset of colder, shorter winter days still leads to an uptick in alcohol misuse, which can lead to liver cirrhosis and other medical maladies and dangerous consequences for one’s life. Speaking to casual drinkers, “The Snowball” visually illustrates how anyone is at risk of becoming addicted to alcohol during this time of year when external climate variables can lead to excess consumption, even if the drinker does not immediately realize it.
Making good on the metaphor, the film follows one man as a quick liquor run gradually devolves into a full-blown addiction as a snowball gradually grows beside him, engulfing his whole life and eventually causing his demise. Set to the tune of Billie Holiday’s “Everything I Have Is Yours,” the film’s pathos is drawn from the sonic integrity of Holiday’s original recording maintained in the sound design as well as the singer’s tragic battle with substance abuse.
This entirely animated film was created using a hands-on, collaborative process rooted in traditional animation techniques, with every aspect of the artwork creation, design, and craftsmanship crafted entirely by human hands. AI-driven tools and processes were brought in during the animation rendering stage, helping the film achieve a distinct visual style that would have been difficult to achieve through... Read More
