A Citroën driver risks everything to get an alien back home in BETC’s epic spot
The little green man takes a shine to the new ë-C4 on his way back to the spaceship
Editor's Pick
Citroën tells the ageless story of an alien trying to get back to his spaceship—with a twist—in an amusing spot from BETC Paris.
Gary Freedman directed the spot, which impressively sets the scene, as our Citroën driver races get to the ship, with military helicopters and government SUVs giving chase. Along the way, the alien takes a shine to the Citroën ë-C4, and proves singularly ungrateful at the end, when he engages in what the brand called “an unprecedented act of automotive desire.”
The sound design is notable on the film. It was crafted by Wave Studios, which won an Academy Award for its work on “The Zone of Interest.” The alien was designed by the team at Artem SFX in London.
Also read: Behind Cadillac’s first campaign with 72andSunny and its approach to EV marketing
“We wanted to play with classic sci-fi tropes as much as the audience’s emotions,” said Federico Goyret, CMO of Citroën. “You watch this wonderful relationship develop, see them working together to reach the mothership, and just when you think you know where the story is going—our adorable alien pulls off the ultimate betrayal, choosing the comfort of the ë-C4 over their trusted human friend. It’s heartbreaking and hilarious all at once.”
“With European manufacturers finally making the right electric products to reach people’s expectations in terms of sustainability, we’re seeing a move away from apologetic messaging toward pure entertainment,” said Nicholas Bakshi, BETC creative director. “The alien’s fascination with the car isn’t just about showcasing features—it’s about bringing joy and surprise back to automotive storytelling.”
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Credits
- Date
- Jan 30, 2025
- Client :
- Citroen
- Agency :
- BETC-Paris
- Advertiser Manager :
- Federico Goyret
- Advertiser Manager :
- Fabian Rodriguez
- Advertiser Manager :
- Sylvain Peraldi
- Advertiser Manager :
- Véronique Le Tallec
- Advertiser Manager :
- Alexandre Echaudemaison
- Account Team :
- Bertille Toledano
- Account Team :
- Mehdi Benali
- Account Team :
- Benjamin Merllie
- Account Team :
- Benjamin Fleming
- Account Team :
- Manon Mangaud
- Account Team :
- Lorène Emprin
- Account Team :
- Koumba Sabara
- Account Team :
- Alexandre Copin
- President & Chief Creative Officer :
- Stephane Xiberras
- Creative Director :
- Nicholas Bakshi
- Copywriter :
- Olivier Miller
- Art Director :
- Morgane Alexandre
- Graphic Designer :
- Anthony Tavares
- Creative Resources Coordinator :
- Kemi Zinsou
- Creative Resources Coordinator :
- Nathalie Sanseigne
- Creative Producer :
- Magalie Dauleu
- Creative Producer :
- David Green
- Agency Post Producer :
- Cyrielle Moustin
- Strategic Planning :
- Etienne Averseng
- Strategic Planner :
- Chloé Wren
- Associate Creative Director :
- Rodolphe Marcotte
- Lead Motion & Creative Makers :
- Marcus Thouant
- Editorial Designer :
- Alexia Jalouneix
- Creative :
- Laure-Astrid Ntsiba
- Account Manager :
- Oscar Peteil
- Project Manager :
- Grégoire Krimianis
- Digital Producer :
- Thomas Recouderc-Meunier
- Digital Producer :
- Donatien Guepratte
- Production Company :
- Very Content
- Director :
- Gary Freedman
- Executive Producer :
- Helene Segol
- Executive Producer :
- Eric Lipchitz
- Executive Producer :
- Jerome Denis
- Line Producer :
- Aurélia Lafaye
- Production Coordinator :
- Marie Mezeray
- Director of Photography :
- Khalid Mohtaseb
- 1st AD :
- Didier Mallet
- VFX Supervisor :
- Jehan Bouazza
- Executive Service Producer :
- Division
- Animatronics :
- Artem
- Post-production house :
- Mathematic
- Post Producer :
- Francoise Hernandez
- Editor :
- Adam Spivey
- Editor :
- Quentin Kwiatkowski
- VFX Producer :
- Arnaud Sourdeau
- Colorist :
- Mathieu Caplanne
- Music Supervisor :
- Seril Farran
- Music Supervisor :
- Adam Ghoubali
- Sound Studio :
- GUM
- Head of Production :
- Sidney Guillen
- Producer :
- Marion Torreilles
- Producer :
- Athénaïs Rubio
- Sound Engineer :
- Marc Eres
- Sound Design :
- Wave Studios
- Sound Designer :
- Ben Gulvin
- Audio Producer :
- Phoebe Baltazar
- Composer :
- Nathan Stornetta
- Composer :
- Martin Batchelar
- Music :
- Pink Martini
- Composer :
- Ary Barroso
- Composer :
- SK Russell
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