International Director Jim Sonzero and Bang Bang Films, India’s International production company, have joined forces to create a unique joint venture- SONZERO FILMS INDIA/BANG BANG. Primarily focused on beauty, lifestyle and storytelling, the new boutique has just completed its inaugural project, L’Oreal Fall Repair campaign with Bollywood actor Sonam Kapoor, and will be shooting another spot for L’Oreal starring Aishwarya Rai at the beginning of August.
Over the past three years, Sonzero has been working consistently in India, where he is best known for his L’Oreal work and more recently, Livon Silky Potions featuring Rachel Bayros.
This new partnership Sonzero Films India/Bang Bang Films reflects an ever-changing advertising landscape, one that has Sonzero forging new ground as the first director to make this type of commitment to the Indian market. The venture, while together with Bang Bang Films and capitalizing on Bang Bang’s reputed production in the Indian market, stands alone as a separate entity, one that comprises a perfect amalgam of Jim Sonzero’s cutting-edge aesthetics and directing prowess with what is widely regarded to be the home of the best production values in South Asia.
Sonzero and Roopak Saluja, Founder and Managing Director, Bang Bang Films, have a history of successful collaborations and reunited after a year to create this new venture.
A director without boundaries, Sonzero also works on high profile North American and international brands having recently completed a global Clinique campaign for New York agency Audrey and a celebrity driven package for Neutrogena, starring Hayden Panettiere, Emma Roberts and Sandra Echeverria for DDB Roberts and Langer.
“India is a thriving emerging market,” comments Sonzero. “It’s an exciting place to work if you can adapt. To be relevant globally you have to step up your game. By opening this joint venture I am committing to the Indian market and I have an amazing team behind me.”
“Roopak Saluja is an amazing guy!” Sonzero adds. “I am thrilled to be in business with Bang Bang. They’re a kickass company with a solid reputation and awesome staff of producers. They always deliver. I am excited about the venture and look forward to a long prosperous relationship.”
Known for mixing a relaxed and comfortable atmosphere on the set with a driven and intense work ethic designed to deliver just what a client needs, Sonzero engenders passionate responses from his clients and collaborators:
Roopak Saluja, Founder & Managing Director, Bang Bang Films, describes the alliance with Sonzero as “A match made in advertising heaven.”
“Jim is a true artist with a masterful sense of lighting, color, beauty and style,” Saluja says. “He also understands the aesthetics and tastes of the Indian market. Indian stars love to work with him and Indian agencies are thrilled by his results. And most of all, this is a tested a partnership- we understand each other and are comfortable with each other’s capabilities, approach and work ethic.”
Bollywood star Sonam Kapoor, who’s worked with Sonzero on more than one occasion and is one of the two faces of L’Oreal Paris in India, comments, “Jim is one of the most interesting and fun ad film directors I have worked with. His energy and work is absolutely brilliant and he makes work seem like play. I am really happy that he is planning to open a production house in India and I hope he moves here so we can work more often.”
Sonzero has an equally loyal clientele and fan following around the world:
“Jim understands beauty, he understands hair and lighting and all the things needed to make our talent look good,” says Andy Langer, Chief Creative Officer at Roberts & Langer, who’s shot numerous celebrity campaigns for Neutrogena with Sonzero. “And then he has the ability to make everyone on the set relax – and in this category, that doesn’t necessarily go together.”
“With him,
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“Ǝvolution” Comes Full Circle At The Chelsea Film Festival
The Chelsea Film Festival, running from October 16th through October 20th, 2024, at Regal Cinemas here in Union Square, is set to host the East Coast premiere of Ǝvolution, a thought-provoking experimental micro-short film that proves big ideas can come in small packages and in perfect circles.
In just 1 minute 16 seconds, this cinematic gem by Award-Winning Director Romina Schwedler, with original music by Argentine Composer Ignacio Montoya Carlotto, explores a cycle as old as time: life leads to progress, progress leads to destruction, and destruction, well, leads back to life. But is this vicious circle unbreakable? Ǝvolution suggests the answer is yes, unless we decide to open our eyes.
Inspired by the overwhelming number of recent events that threaten human existence, Ǝvolution, possibly the shortest film in this 12th edition of the festival, plays out entirely through the symbolism of circles, cleverly illustrating —in the blink of an eye— the repeating patterns of history, and confronting viewers with the uncomfortable truth that our so-called “progress” may, in fact, be guiding us to our own ruin.Premiering at the Regal 14 Union Square, New York City, on October 18, 2024, at 11 a.m., Romina Schwedler's micro-short, featuring Leah Young with cinematography by Alan J. Carmona, will be sure to spark conversations longer than the film itself! Forcing viewers to reconsider the true meaning of evolution, not just as a biological process, but as a reflection of our collective journey as humans.
With a string of festival appearances across the globe, including CineGlobe at CERN (Switzerland/France), Oscar®... Read More