Oscar-nominated actor directs Whirlpool campaign for Latin American markets.
Andy Garcia has signed with Dark Light Pictures for representation as a commercial director. In his debut with the company, Garcia has directed a campaign for Whirlpool and Buenos Aires agency Madre that will air across Latin America and South America.
Although best known for his work in front of the camera (including a Best Supporting Actor Oscar nomination for The Godfather: Part III), Garcia has a number of credits as a director in television and film, the latter including The Lost City, a 2005 film (in which he also starred) about a Cuban nightclub owner whose family becomes embroiled in the violent transition from the dictator Bautista to Fidel Castro. Garcia’s alliance with Dark Light, however, marks his first foray as a director of commercials.
Dark Light Pictures executive producer Vince Arcaro believes that Garcia has great potential as a commercial director. “Andy has had an opportunity to work with and learn from many great directors–Francis Ford Coppola, Sydney Lumet–and cinematographers–Gordon Willis, Conrad Hall Sr.,” observed Arcaro. “He is a very seasoned director who brings a lot of knowledge, experience and creativity to the set.”
In addition to directing the campaign for Whirlpool, Garcia also acts in the commercials, playing all of the parts. The commercials offer humorous takes on common family situations and show how Whirlpool appliances help people enjoy life more. In two of the spots, Garcia plays a mother and a father engaged in kitchen and laundry chores. In a third spot, he plays a father and son planning a Mother’s Day gift. The campaign features the tagline “Better homes. Better lives.”
Mariana Gonzalez Ericsson, regional marketing general manager, Latin American region, for Whirlpool, noted that this is the first time Whirlpool has used a celebrity spokesperson and it conducted an extensive search before choosing Garcia. “We were looking for someone with the same values as our brand: a family person who is real and believable, with a touch of Hollywood glamour,” she said. “That’s Andy.”
Gonzalez Ericsson added that having Garcia direct himself has proven to be an inspired choice. “He was so into the story and understood so quickly what we were trying to communicate that we felt immediately that he was the best choice to direct,” she said. “And, he’s been doing an amazing job.” She adds that the campaign has special relevance as it coincides with Whirlpool’s 100th anniversary.
Dark Light Pictures has made a specialty out of representing directors who have careers beyond commercials. For example, its roster includes Caleb Deschanel, ASC, a well known feature cinematographer; actor, director and comedian David Steinberg; and Michael Lehmann, director of the film Heathers and the television series True Blood.
Angelina Jolie To Receive Gothams Performer Tribute For “Marie”
The Gotham Film & Media Institute has announced that Academy Award®-winner Angelina Jolie will receive the Performer Tribute for her performance as Maria Callas in Pablo Larrain’s upcoming film Maria, at the 34th edition of The Gothams, taking place on Monday, December 2, at Cipriani Wall Street in New York City. The tribute will honor Jolie’s rendition of legendary opera singer Callas.
“Like the legendary figure she portrays, Angelina Jolie transcends mere performance to craft something extraordinary. Her interpretation captures both Maria Callas’ complexity as an artist and the cultural resonance that defines an icon,” said Jeffrey Sharp, executive director of The Gotham. “We are thrilled to celebrate what is truly one of Ms. Jolie’s career-defining performances in the final installment of Pablo Larrain’s magnificent trilogy.”
Maria follows Callas, one of the most iconic performers of the 20th century, as she retreats to Paris after a glamorous and tumultuous life in the public eye. The film reimagines the legendary soprano in her final days as the diva reckons with her identity and life. Written by Steven Knight, with cinematography by Ed Lachman and costumes by Massimo Cantini Parrini, Maria has Jolie joined by a star-studded cast including Alba Rohrwacher (Hungry Hearts, Happy As Lazzaro), Pierfrancesco Favino (Padrenostro, Adagio), Kodi Smit-McPhee (The Power of the Dog, Dolemite Is My Name), and Valeria Golino (For Your Love, The Beautiful Game). Marie premiered to critical acclaim at the Venice Film Festival and Jolie’s performance continues to stun audiences at the New York Film Festival, London Film Festival and the AFI Fest. Maria will be in... Read More