Watch this vampire 'Romeo and Juliet' from Mercedes-Benz
In time for Valentine's Day, agency Antoni Garage and Cannes-winning director Sebastian Strasser debut luscious 'Immortal Love' short film
Editor's Pick
Two things that seem to never die: Shakespeare and vampires. And apparently the Mercedes-Benz luxury G-Class vehicles, which have been offroading for over 40 years. To illustrate the popular cars’ longevity and timelessness, the brand launched “Immortal Love,” an eight-minute rendition of “Romeo and Juliet” with an undead twist.
Like a Baz Luhrmann remake of “Twilight,” the short film is an uber-stylish spin on the well-tread Shakespeare play. Directed by Mercedes' repeat collaborator Sebastian Strasser and starring up-and-coming musician Rimon as a rap megastar, “Immortal Love” follows ultra-fashionable characters as they speed around in Mercedes’ G-Class lineup, splashing up mud and stirring up star-crossed drama.
Basically, Rimon’s Bowie-esque manager does not approve of her love affair with a young journalist. The manager tries to keep him away from Rimon’s 463rd birthday party, where operatic singing and slow-motion shots of dancing partiers create a smorgasbord of dreamy, gothic imagery.
Blood spews across the screen and faces scream from beneath sheer veils as pulsing music tensely builds up to the film’s climax. A nearly fatal confrontation ends far happier than the classic piece of high school required reading, and Rimon and her lover drive away from the bacchanal in their Mercedes-Benz, along with the tagline “stronger than time,” the brand’s ode to both Valentine’s and their legacy vehicles.
“We’ve created a progressive film world in which vampires from all eras meet G-Classes from the last 40 years—a unique cast that unites all decades and model series,” said Bettina Fetzer, VP communications and marketing at Mercedes-Benz AG, in a statement. “In this way, we are memorializing the incomparable longevity of our agile off-road icon.”
The campaign will run in shorter variations across social media and also includes still photography by Antonio Afonso. The push also included the “G-Class Private Lounge,” a platform for owners to interact forum-style and receive news and exclusive content straight from Mercedes-Benz.
Credits
- Date
- Feb 14, 2022
- Client :
- Mercedes-Benz
- Agency :
- antoni garage
- Production Company :
- ANORAK Film GmbH
- Director :
- Sebastian Strasser
- Photography :
- Antonio Afonso
Need a credit fix? Contact the Creativity Editors