Director Wes Anderson’s latest work, “Castello Cavalcanti,” is typical of the twee director: exotic locale, art-directed to the hilt, preciously funny and starring Jason Schwartzman. Except it’s not a feature, but a Prada commercial.
Anderson isn’t the first or the last big-time director to slum with commercials — even if many ply their trade abroad, as you can see from this tasty selection.
Wes Anderson, Softbank
Japan is a hospitable, lucrative place for American directors. There, Anderson made this bright, French pop-inflected commercial for Softbank, a company so humongous that it could also afford Brad Pitt.
Spike Jonze, Softbank
Spike Jonze has worked for Japan’s Softbank as well, and Pitt was on board again — this time sharing the screen with a sumo wrestler.
Robert Rodriguez, Nespresso
Jackpot! Robert Rodriguez (“Machete”) directed this 2009 installment of France’s ongoing Nespresso saga starring George Clooney — this time with added John Malkovich flavor.
Tim Burton, Hollywood
In 1998, Tim Burton brought his colorful, eccentric vision to this rare ad for French gum Hollywood.
Luc Besson, Chanel
Also in 1998, Tim Burton’s regular film scorer, Danny Elfman, did the music for this Chanel commercial directed by Luc Besson (the recent “The Family”) and styled by Karl Lagerfeld.
David Lynch, Barilla
Talk about a bizarre hybrid: David Lynch directing a French ad with Gérard Depardieu for Italian pastamaker Barilla. Oh 1994, you feel so far away!
Gaspar Noe, Yves Saint Laurent
Shock French director Gaspar Noé — “Enter the Void,” as well as the NSFW cover shot of the new Sky Ferreira album — went dark but classy with this brief French spot for an Yves Saint Laurent fragrance.
Jean-Luc Godard, Schick
Even the most unlikely grand masters have dabbled with commerce. Take radical filmmaker Jean-Luc Godard, who shilled for Schick aftershave in 1971. In French but like many good ads, it speaks for itself.