Mercedes-Benz’ latest global brand film celebrates the confidence and vision of Bertha Benz–Carl Benz’ business partner and wife–who was instrumental in launching Mercedes-Benz.
Released in honor of International Women’s Day (March 8), the film tells the story of the world’s first long distance drive in a car from Mannheim to Pforzheim, Germany in 1888. Early one morning, Bertha took her two sons out for the 12 hour, 106 km / 65 mile trip. She understood the potential of her husband’s invention, and was determined to prove it worked at a time when people were skeptical of this new technology.
Shot like a classic Western with modern stylization, the film conveys the fear and confusion of the people who witnessed Bertha’s incredible journey, and dramatizes one of her stops along the way. Mechanics didn’t exist, so she went to the pharmacy to find fuel, used her hat pin to clear fuel lines, and her garter for insulation. Through her dedication, she paved the way for the invention of the Benz Patent Motor Car.
The story of Bertha Benz is the latest in an ongoing transformation of Mercedes-Benz’ communications–aiming to appeal to women and a younger demographic–with Berlin agency antoni. Sebastian Strasser via Anorak Film directed Bertha Benz: The Journey That Changed Everything.
Credits
Client Daimler AG, Mercedes-Benz Agency antoni_garage, Berlin Marcell Francke, Tilman Gossner, Veit Moeller, executive creative directors; Alice Bottaro, creative director; Andre Santa Cruz, writer; Juliane Krause-Akelbein, creative director digital; Alicia Gaworska, strategist; Sebastiaan Peters, Marcus Wetschewald, producers; Antonio Alfonso, motion design. Production Anorak Film Sebastian Strasser, director; Christoph Petzenhauser, exec producer/producer; Bjoern Levy-Kreuger, producer; Justin Brown, DP; Christian Wegehinkel, postproduction supervisor. Production Service Co. Icon Films Editorial Trim Editing/Slaughterhouse Berlin Thomas Grove Carter, editor; Benedikt Hugendubel, colorist; Romola Davies, assistant colorist. Sound Studio Slaughterhouse Berlin Florian Kruse, sound designer/mixer; Raife Burchell/Dirty Soup, sound producer. Music Steve Slides & Steffen Thum, music; Raife Burchell/Dirty Soup, music coordinator. Postproduction/VFX The Mill London Justin Stiebel, producer; Dan Williams, VFX supervisor; Carl Norton, 2D lead; Can Y. Sanaian, matte painting.
Stain remover Vanish presents this emotional short film--created by BETC Havas, Sao Paulo, and produced by LOBO--that explores the profound consequences of bullying and highlights the importance of open conversations between parents and children. Titled The Bully Monster, the animated film premiered at the Maquinaria Festival in Rio de Janeiro on February 15 in a special edition featuring family-focused programming.
The filmโs protagonist is a boy who experiences bullying at school but keeps silent about his suffering. Isolation turns sadness into insecurity, creating invisible emotional scars that only grow in the absence of dialogue. When his mother notices stains on his uniform, these marks become the starting point for a revealing conversation. As words find space to make themselves heard, the stains begin to fade.
This initiative aligns with the Vanish Saves Your Uniform campaign, which, for the past three years during the back-to-school season, has engaged with parents by positioning the brand as a trusted partner in preserving school uniforms. This year, Vanish decided to broaden the conversation, bringing bullying into the debate as the real stain that can impact a childโs life.
The Bully Monster is being screened as preshow material in movie theaters starting February 20 and will also be available on streaming platforms and digital channels. In addition to the film, the campaign will include out-of-home activations and school initiatives through a partnership with Abrace โ Preventive Programs, the founding organization of the โBullying-Free Schoolsโ program, which has been equipping institutions with resources to combat school violence for 12 years.
โResearch indicates that stains on a uniform can... Read More
