Creative Spotlight: Honda | #StayHome Commercial | Made at Home

Since Covid-19 started, the activity of many brands has been significantly altered. One sector that is being affected is automotive. Brands are investing less on traditional advertising, while some are going completely dark.

But how is it possible to create a car commercial when it’s impossible to go outside due to lockdowns? Honda UAE together with Memac Ogilvy Dubai found a way to craft the ad doing everything from home (written, directed, edited and watched), relating it back to #StayHome and using the Honda Civic.

But not a regular Civic. For its new commercial, Trading Enterprises – Honda used a full-scale miniature car. The camera shots managed to fool the eye so that at all times you feel like you’re watching a real car commercial.

 

Throughout this piece we can read: “This might be the first car commercial to be written, directed, edited and watched entirely from home”. A message of adaptation, commitment and encouragement, showing what we can continue to do from home. Closing with “Until we drive again”, the Japanese brand sends a message of desire to the world to drive again as soon as possible.

With this piece, Honda UAE demonstrates everything we can still do through what seemed impossible: a car commercial made entirely from home.

 

Credits:

Agency

Chief Creative Officer / Juggi Ramakrishnan

Creative Director / Jean-Pierre De Villiers

Creative Team / Nicolas Lopez and Fernando Montero

Client Team Lead / Hadi Ballout

Senior Account Manager / Kenneth Monis

Account Manager / Firas Rehimi

Head of Production / Amin Soltani

Director / Amin Soltani

Junior Producer / Ann Vaas

 

Client

Grant Bowring / Head of Marketing & Brand Operations

Rohit Bedekar / Marketing Communication Executive

Emad Hassan / Digital Marketing Manager

 

 

Source – Campaign Middle East

Movies to Watch for Every Cinematic Yearning

Like it or not, we are all stuck inside the house these days as a result of the coronavirus crisis, and whether working from home or just chilling, it’s good to take a cinematic break

With cinemas closed and blockbusters-in-waiting – postponed for later this year or all the way through to next year, thankfully, there are many movies offering some form of escape during this time of distress.

Here’s a list of 100 amazing movies to watch in the comfort of your home:

 

When you need something out of this world

 

1. Aliens (1986):Our queen Sigourney Weaver vs. a cosmic queen is a sci-fi all-timer.
2. Arrival (2016):Amy Adams communicates with aliens and at this point we’re envying her hazmat suit.
3. E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial (1982):Honestly, hanging out with E.T. sounds cool until the little guy eats all your Reese’s Pieces.
4. Independence Day (1996):Will Smith clocks an outer-space creature in the face, more for invading Earth than eating his Reese’s Pieces.
5. Guardians of the Galaxy (2014):I am Groot, obviously.
6. Galaxy Quest (1999):Like “Star Trek” if it was funny.
7. Star Trek (2009):Like “Star Trek” if it was “Star Wars.”
8. The Martian (2015):It’s nice to know that Matt Damon’s recipe for Martian poop potatoes is right there if ever needed.
9. Moon (2009):You get two Sam Rockwells for the price of one awesomely intriguing lunar mission. What a deal!
10. Star Wars (1977):Because who doesn’t want to learn the ways of the Force with Han, Luke, Leia and John Williams’ blasting score?

 

When you need a change in scenery

 

11. Blade Runner (1982): Is Harrison Ford a robot or not? Feel free to think about that as you immerse yourself in neon noir.
12. Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas (1998): Going on a Vegas acid binge with Johnny Depp and Benicio del Toro is indeed a trip.
13. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone (2001): Kids going off to a magical school and dealing with seriously dark stuff is somehow not child endangerment.
14. How to Train Your Dragon (2010): A Viking boy having a scaly best friend is totally OK, though.
15. The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001): A three-movie, 11-hour trudge through Middle-earth to drop a ring into a volcano needs to start somewhere.
16. Mad Max: Fury Road (2015):Ride eternal, shiny and chrome into a splendiferous post-apocalyptic wasteland with Charlize Theron and Tom Hardy.
17. The Matrix (1999):You’ll want to choose the red pill because Keanu Reeves’ cyberpunk kung fu is top notch.
18. The NeverEnding Story (1984):Come for the flying dragon dog, stay for that cult tune the “Stranger Things” kids sang.
19. The Princess Bride (1987):Head to Florin, save Princess Buttercup and, most importantly, have fun storming the castle!
20. The Wizard of Oz (1939):Good friends, cool shoes and Midwestern chutzpah are a must along the Yellow Brick Road. (Which has more flying monkeys than Fury Road.)

 

When you need family bonding time

 

21. Back to the Future (1985):Teenage kid travels back to the 1950s to make sure his parents fall in love and Mom hits on him. That’s some future therapy bills right there.
22. Father of the Bride (1991):Steve Martin’s overprotective patriarch is a must-see for the dads with daughters out there.
23. Frozen (2013):From wanting to build a snowman to letting it go, Anna and Elsa are a sister act for the ages. (All ages, in fact.)
24. The Incredibles (2004):With a bevy of superpowers and dinner-table issues, the Parr clan’s tale is the best Fantastic Four movie ever.
25. The Godfather (1972):But don’t forget about the Corleone family, whose business involves betrayal, crime and murder. So that’s less than fantastic, in terms of the law.
26. Little Miss Sunshine (2006):The Hoover family is crazy dysfunctional – and just plain crazy – but man, can they bust up a pretentious kid beauty pageant.
27. Mary Poppins (1964):The Banks family is a hot mess when Julie Andrews thankfully flies in on her umbrella.
28. Meet the Parents (2000):No one’s in-law circle of trust can compare to Robert De Niro whipping out a lie detector or discussing his nipples.
29. The Sound of Music (1965):Even though there are Nazis, there’s plenty to sing about for the tuneful Von Trapps.
30. Step Brothers (2008): Sorry, Anna and Elsa, as a sibling duo Will Ferrell and John C. Reilly are much more fun in that nunchucking, boat-crashing, man-child way.

 

When you need a belly laugh

 

31. Animal House (1978): It would never be made in the #MeToo era, but the Deathmobile, the food fight and John Belushi in a toga destroying a guitar still have no college-comedy equal.
32. The Blues Brothers (1980):While the guys in the suits and shades get the title love, praise the gods of country andWestern for a scene-stealing Carrie Fisher, Aretha Franklin and Ray Charles.
33. Booksmart (2019):The female-centric standout proves teen travails are just as relatable now as they were when “The Breakfast Club” was in session.
34. Ferris Bueller’s Day Off (1986):Save Ferris! That’s it, that’s all you need to know.
35. Ghostbusters (1984):A reminder that things can always be worse – in this case, full torso apparitions, a Sumerian god of destruction and the Stay Puft Marshmallow Man.
36. Groundhog Day (1993):Bill Murray refuses to let a bucktoothed critter upstage him. Respect.
37. The Hangover (2009):Mike Tyson singing Phil Collins isn’t even in the top five nuttiest moments in this bachelor-party-gone-wrong classic.
38. Old School (2003):Indefinite self-isolation might make one ponder founding their own fraternity in their house. Just don’t go streaking, please.
39. This Is Spinal Tap (1984):It’s the rock mockumentary that goes to 11, and the sting remains from “Big Bottom” not snagging an original song Oscar nod.
40. Young Frankenstein (1974):A Mel Brooks marathon is guaranteed to lift all spirits but do start with the one starring Gene Wilder as a lovably kooky mad scientist.

 

When you need a good scare

 

41. Evil Dead II (1987):The splatter-fest teaches you the essential lesson that if your hand gets hacked off, attach a chainsaw.
42. The Exorcist (1973): The dreadful thought of the devil possessing a young girl is even more unnerving seeing it unfold in front of you.
43. Get Out (2017):Good luck ever forgetting the image of Daniel Kaluuya’s teary horror upon realizing he’s in the Sunken Place.
44. It (2017):A coming-of-age story first, a clown-laden fright fest second.
45. A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984):Slasher villain math: Freddy Krueger > Michael Myers > Jason Voorhees.
46. Psycho (1960):Still an effective deterrent to showering, six decades later.
47. Se7en (1995):A splendid smashup of genres (detective, noir, horror) and an eerie exploration of the seven deadly sins, but don’t look in the box, Brad Pitt!
48. Shaun of the Dead (2004):If you’re going to watch a freaky outbreak movie in the time of coronavirus, at least make it a seriously funny British joint.
49. The Shining (1980):OK, maaaaaaybe not the greatest film to watch in a time of self-isolation.
50. The Witch (2015):If a goat named Black Phillip asks you, “Wouldst thou like to live deliciously?” just say no. (You might want to avoid talking goats in general.)

 

When you need a super-duper hero

 

51. Big Trouble in Little China (1986):Only Kurt Russell could sell being the two-fisted, macho-talking, truck-driving sidekick in his own movie.
52. Black Panther (2018):Wakanda – and Chadwick Boseman’s phenomenal royal warrior – forever!
53. Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014):A well-crafted, outstanding political thriller in which Chris Evans just happens to be wearing star-spangled tights.
54. The Dark Knight (2008):Heath Ledger’s Joker for the absolute win. (Christian Bale’s Batman is all right, too.)
55. Flash Gordon (1980):He’ll save every one of us. It’s right there in the song.
56. The Goonies (1985):Let’s see Batman or Captain America try to do the Truffle Shuffle.
57. Kill Bill: Volume 1 (2003):Clad in a Bruce Lee jumpsuit, Uma Thurman’s The Bride marries the look of a fashion icon with supreme sword-swinging vengeance taking out umpteen goons.
58. Rocky IV (1985):Sure, Sylvester Stallone’s first “Rocky” was “the good one.” He pretty much has to take on the whole Soviet Union in this one, though!
59. Superman (1978):Nobody has ever worn superhero threads – especially those of the iconic big blue boy scout – the same way as Christopher Reeve.
60. Wonder Woman (2017):Gal Gadot’s ridiculously powerful Amazon princess learns that humanity is a bunch of warring jerks and helps out anyway.

 

When you need a history lesson

 

61. All the President’s Men (1976):Whether you see shades of the past now or not, crusading journalists taking on a corrupt administration is simply riveting.
62. Amadeus (1984):Mozart could write a mean classical tune, and his rivalry with Salieri here is a symphony of hedonism and drama.
63. Ed Wood (1994):Tim Burton turns in a fascinating retro ode to the B-movie filmmaker and angora sweater aficionado.
64. Hidden Figures (2016):One way to honor NASA pioneer Katherine Johnson, who died death last month at 101, is to watch Taraji P. Henson in this rousing civil-rights tale.
65. Lincoln (2012):Man of many hats Daniel Day Lewis rocks the stovepipe headwear of the 16th president especially well.
66. RBG (2018):Worried about the health of 87-year-old Ruth Bader Ginsburg? This documentary shows the notorious Supreme Court justice is made of the sternest stuff.
67. The Right Stuff (1983):More than three wondrous hours detailing the backstory – in epic Hollywood fashion – of our first trip to space.
68. 1776 (1972):Just think of it as the prequel to “Hamilton.”
69. Spartacus (1960):Fun fact: Kirk Douglas was leading slave revolts when “Gladiator” Russell Crowe was a preschooler.
70. Straight Outta Compton (2015):O’Shea Jackson Jr. plays dad Ice Cube in the N.W.A. biopic that’s a delight even if you aren’t into hip-hop.

 

When you need a great movie

 

71. Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1969):Find yourself a ride-or-die BFF like Paul Newman and Robert Redford as infamous Old West outlaws. (But don’t do all the robbing.)
72. Casablanca (1942):Hey, kids! If you ever wondered why Humphrey Bogart was a thing, watch this.
73. Chinatown (1974):Jack Nicholson’s busted face is a signature look for a sublime L.A. film noir.
74. Citizen Kane (1941):The greatest film ever made is actually pretty good. The hype is real!
75. The Departed (2006):Leo, Jack and Damon in a Boston-set Scorsese mob movie? That’s wicked smaht casting.
76. Die Hard (1988):It should be everyone’s goal to have the self-confidence to trudge across broken glass, take on a snarling Eurotrash supervillain and save the day, all on Christmas Eve.
77. Jaws (1975):The first summer blockbuster is the mack daddy of man-eating shark flicks.
78. North by Northwest (1959):Getting embroiled in a case of mistaken identity and getting chased by a crop-dusting plane equals a very bad, no-good day for Cary Grant.
79. Parasite (2019):The South Korean movie just won best picture so maybe getting stuck at home is the best time to catch up? (Warning: It might cause paranoia about your basement.)
80. Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981):The perfect action film with an imperfectly flawed, square-jawed protagonist.

 

When you need a not-so-great movie

 

81. Armageddon (1998):Let the record state that Bruce Willis and Ben Affleck were Space Force before it was cool.
82. Cobra (1986):Crime is a disease, Stallone is the cure and this violent extravaganza is a transfusion of guilty pleasure.
83. Con Air (1997):Much of Nicolas Cage’s whole career could fill this space, however, only one flick has characters named Diamond Dog, Swamp Thing and Cyrus the Virus.
84. Highlander (1986):Ridiculous cheeseball plot, immortal warriors and killer Queen songs strangely go together.
85. The Last Dragon (1985):We dare you not be earwormed by DeBarge’s “Rhythm of the Night,” the infectious tune that reflects the overall cult-movie mix of kung fu, romance and ‘80s style.
86. Mommie Dearest (1981):Yes, it’s the one with “No more wire hangers!” But there’s much more melodrama throughout the bonkers Joan Crawford biopic as Faye Dunaway gives a masterclass in overacting.
87. Over the Top (1987):The underdog plot centered on arm wrestling is nonsensical and yet completely rousing. It’s also proof positive that turning your trucker hat around always means business.
88. Road House (1989):The one where Patrick Swayze rips a dude’s throat out.
89. So I Married an Axe Murderer (1993):Forget “Wayne’s World” and “Austin Powers.” This is Mike Myers’ greatest hit, as a beat poet afraid of commitment and even more fearful of his maybe-a-killer new love.
90. Xanadu (1980):The splashy, post-disco pop musical was made to be played on repeat constantly at roller rinks.

 

When you need your heart warmed

 

91. About Time (2013):Domhnall Gleeson is a time-traveling dude, Rachel McAdams is his soulmate, and all the feels will be had.
92. Field of Dreams (1989):The magnificent baseball film embraces the power of faith, belief and having one last catch with your dad.
93. It’s a Wonderful Life (1946):Not just for Christmas anymore!
94. Jojo Rabbit (2019):Taika Waititi plays Hitler in a satire focusing on human love over learned hate.
95. Notting Hill (1999):You, too, will believe a regular schmo could date Julia Roberts.
96. Rudy (1993):The best football movie’s most impressive trick is making you believe Sean Astin would survive two seconds on the gridiron.
97. Silver Linings Playbook (2012):Bradley Cooper and Jennifer Lawrence together are an A-list romantic pairing – he plays a bipolar Eagle fan, she’s an acerbic widow – as well as a sizzling dance couple.
98. Sing Street (2016):An Irish teen in the ‘80s forms a band to win over his crush and discovers no woman can truly love a man who listens to Phil Collins. (Sorry, Mike Tyson.)
99. The Shawshank Redemption (1994):A memorable jailbird bromance from the mind of Stephen King.
100. You’ve Got Mail (1998):The swoon-worthy Tom Hanks/Meg Ryan jam that feels ancient with the AOL email chime yet is oh-so-timeless.

 

Enjoy!

 

 

Source: US Today

Cannes Lions Festival 2020 Cancelled

As the impact from COVID-19 continues to be felt across the world, the Cannes Lions Festival 2020 will no longer take place from 26-30 October, 2020 as previously planned.

The next edition of the Festival will run 21-25 June, 2021.

The difficult decision follows in-depth consultations with partners and customers and reflects the unprecedented societal, health and economic challenges currently facing the world, as well as the desire to remove any uncertainty about the running of the awards and event for partners and customers.

Cannes Lions without the Lions is nothing – the work is the pinnacle of what Cannes Lions represents. Creative winning ideas should be celebrated and the Festival doesn’t think it’s an appropriate time for that right now. Cannes Lions also realises that the creative community has other challenges to face right now, and simply isn’t in a position to put forward the work that will set the benchmark.

All entries into Cannes Lions 2020 will be judged next year, which will have a two-year eligibility period. Additionally, Festival tickets will be transferred directly to the next edition.

For further questions, please contact [email protected]

Click here to access the full announcement from Cannes Lions.

 

As the official representatives of the Cannes Lions Festival in the UAE, Motivate Media Group and Motivate Val Morgan will no longer host the UAE Young Lions Digital Competition in 2020.

For more information on the UAE Young Lions Digital Competition, please contact [email protected]

 

 

Source: Cannes Lions

Wonder Woman 1984 Gets A New Release Date

Wonder Woman 1984 to release on August 14, 2020 (worldwide)

 

The coronavirus crisis has hit the entertainment industry hard, with many film and TV projects forced to make some drastic decisions in recent weeks.

If you’re anything like us, having witnessed Diana Prince’s epic sprint through the bleak and hellish emptiness of no man’s land, you are even more desperate for more from the DC’s iconic goddess. But, it seems like all of us will have to wait a little longer to see Wonder Woman in action again!

Wonder Woman 1984 was initially set to release in early June, but has now been postponed until August 2020, and despite the rumours you might have heard, both Warner Bros. and director Patty Jenkins assures fans the now-delayed DC film will be released in cinema and not via VOD/streaming platforms.

In a tweet posted following news of the film’s delay, Jenkins declared, “We made Wonder Woman 1984 for the big screen and I believe in the power of cinema.” She then reiterated that Wonder Woman 1984’s new release date is August 14, and that she prays for “better times for all by then.”

 

 

Most delayed movies currently plan to arrive in cinema at some point, though Universal decided to forgo its theatrical run of Emma, The Invisible Man, The Hunt and Trolls World Tour – releasing then directly on VOD. Some fans have called for other films to do the same as Universal in order for them to have access to more entertainment while in lockdown and quarantine at home, but no other movies have taken that route.

Jenkins also stressed that many cinemas are struggling to cope with their shutdowns, something that has been echoed by other directors. Christopher Nolan and Edgar Wright are among those who have encouraged support for cinemas during this time, either by buying memberships or through governmental assistance. In recent days, directors have championed the theatrical experience as more and more people rely on streaming services to keep them occupied.

 

 

Sources: Screenrant, World of Reel, Twitter and Techradar

MVM | Cinema Update | 2019

Motivate Val Morgan Cinema Update 2019

Since opening the doors to its first cinema in the capital city of Riyadh in 2018, Saudi movie-goers can’t seem to get enough of this unique entertainment platform.

The Kingdom had 6.6 million cinema visits in 2019, and the 2020 pipeline is on track to meet this growing demand, with new locations set to open in Jubail, Taif, Al-Ahsa, Dhahran, Hail and other cities across the Kingdom.

As for the rest of the region in 2019, cinema exhibitors continued to maintain steady growth by investing in the opening of new locations and growing their circuit of innovative cinema experiences.

2019 was also the first year to have nine films cross the billion-dollar milestone (globally), surpassing 2015’s and 2018’s record of five billion-dollar films. Additionally, Disney (not counting Marvel or Star Wars) saw four films cross US$1 billion (globally) – the studio’s highest amount in any calendar year.

Motivate Val Morgan witnessed an increase in integrated cinema campaign bookings in 2019 –  covering both on and off screen advertising, and welcomed a range of first-time advertisers to our list of clients.

Cinema is undoubtedly the ultimate platform for memorable storytelling, for it helps advertisers target specific audiences, builds deeper audience engagement and delivers valuable incremental reach when added as part of a larger media mix.

Click HERE to access the report and contact us to make cinema an integral part of your media plan in 2020!

Muvi Cinemas Opens at U-Walk in Riyadh

Muvi Cinemas – Saudi Arabia’s first homegrown cinema brand, opened its doors to cinema audiences at its fourth location at U-Walk in Riyadh on Thursday 5^th March 2020.

The cinema features 13 screens with a total of 1398 seats and a range of cinema experiences which include Dolby Cinema™, ScreenX, Samsung Onyx and Suites.

 

Dolby Cinema™ delivers the total cinema experience. It combines the most powerful image and sound technologies with inspired design to make every visit an unforgettable cinematic event.

• Dolby Vision™ brings the story alive before your eyes in dramatic, lifelike imaging.
• Dolby Atmos® transports you into the movie with breathtakingly realistic, moving audio that fills the room and flows all around you.

 

ScreenX is a truly immersive cinema experience for those who want to experience blockbusters not just watch them. The world’s first multi projection movie theatre. ScreenX presents unprecedented panorama screen by extending the main screen to each side of walls in the auditorium. Through this panorama screen, the audience will feel as if they are right in the movie. This experience is also available at the cinema exhibitor’s Mall of Arabia location in Jeddah.

 

Muvi Cinemas is the first cinema in the Middle East to include a Samsung Onyx Cinema LED screen, which accommodates virtually any venue configuration while delivering technical performance and reliability beyond that of traditional projector-based operations.

The extraordinary display installed at Muvi Cinemas – U-Walk transforms the cinema viewing experience with HDR support, offering unparalleled picture quality – true colors and greater vibrancy and accuracy.

 

Discover the key features of Samsung Onyx in the video below:

 

Suites is the ultimate luxury cinema experience by Muvi – featuring reclining seats, footrests, extra legroom and USB charging ports. The experience includes an exclusive lounge with an a la carte menu, where cinemagoers can choose from light bites to a full meal. Meals can be eaten in the lounge or inside cinema.

 

The opening of U-Walk follows the launch of the 7 screen cinema with 659 seats at Nakheel Mall in the city of Dammam which opened in February 2020.

 

For more information about Muvi Cinemas, visit: www.muvicinemas.com

 

As the official cinema advertising partner of Muvi Cinemas, Motivate Val Morgan congratulates the cinema exhibitor on its opening at U-Walk (Riyadh) and Nakheel Mall (Dammam), and warmly welcomes these two new location to our cinema circuit in KSA. Contact us for cinema advertising opportunities in KSA.

 

 

Source: Muvi Cinemas and Samsung

Godiva | Integrated Cinema Campaign | KSA

Godiva – veteran chain specializing in gourmet Belgian chocolates, truffles, cocoa & other sweet gift items, booked an integrated cinema campaign with Motivate Val Morgan – through Arab Reach Media, for the launch of their newest chocolate flavors in Saudi Arabia.

The 15 sec. on-screen commercial screened for a period of 4 weeks (21^st November to 18^th December, 2019) at AMC Cinemas – KAFD and VOX Cinemas – Red Sea Mall, Riyadh Front and West Avenue Mall.

 

 

The off-screen component included a sampling activity at VOX Cinemas – Red Sea Mall, Riyadh Front and West Avenue Mall over the weekend of 12^th – 14^th December 2019.

Promoters were hired by the brand to oversee the 3-day sampling activity at the respective cinema locations, and to assist with the distribution of chocolates to cinemagoers walking out of the auditoriums at which the brand’s on-screen ad was playing.

 

 

Combining on-screen advertising with sampling at the cinema is an effective strategy to implement when seeking to engage audiences with a new product.

Got a product launch coming up? Contact us to know more on how integrated campaigns can help move your brand closer to its target audience.

 

Related Articles:

McVitie’s Digestive Nibbles | Integrated Cinema Campaign | KSA

Ülker O’lala Sufle | Integrated Cinema Campaign | KSA

Double Delights Sampling Activity at VOX Cinemas

 

Bollywood’s ‘Sooryavanshi’ Trailer Creates History in 24 Hours

Sooryavanshi – Bollywood’s upcoming super cop action saga, is one of the foremost anticipated movies of the year, and is set to release on across cinemas in the Middle East on 26^th March 2020.

Directed by Rohit Shetty and written by Sajid-Farhad, Sooryavanshi will be the fourth installment of Shetty’s ‘cop series’ – Singham (2011), Singham Returns (2014) and Simmba (2018).

 

The story revolves round DCP Veer Sooryavanshi – chief of the Mumbai Anti-Terrorism Squad, and his team who join forces with Inspector Sangram Bhalerao and DCP Bajirao Singham to stop a terrorist batch planning to attack Mumbai.

The film features Akshay Kumar in the lead role (DCP Veer Sooryavanshi) opposite Katrina Kaif (Aditi Sooryavanshi), and also stars Gulshan Grover, Abhimanyu Singh, Niharica Raizada, Jackie Shroff, Sikandar Kher, Nikitin Dheer and Vivan Bhatena. The film will also feature Ajay Devgn and Ranveer Singh who reprise their roles of Inspector Bajirao M. Singham  and Sangram ‘Simmba’ Bhalerao from the franchise’s previous films.

The four-minute long trailer – which released at 12:52 PM on 2^nd March 2020, created history as the most viewed Indian trailer on YouTube. It crossed 30M views within 10 hours, 40M views within 21 hours, and at 12:52 PM on 3^rd March (24 hours), it had gained 42.74M views. Shah Rukh Khan’s Zero (2018) movie trailer now sits at second position with 41M views in 24 hours.

 

 

Sporting ‘Aa Rahi Hai Police’ tees, Rohit Shetty and his ‘cop universe’ made quite a splash at the trailer launch of Sooryavanshi in Mumbai, India.

 

 

 

The trailer also sparked a flood of memes on social media right after its release. Tweeps took a dig at hilarious and catchy dialogues from the trailer and curated memes and jokes out of it. Some even went to the extent of calling it ‘India’s Avengers franchise’.

 

 

 

 

Out of the fourteen films by Rohit Shetty, eleven of them have been blockbusters. Three of his film are also listed in India’s Top 25 Highest-Grossing Films – Chennai Express (2013), Simmba (2018) and Dilwale (2015) which rank at 18^th, 20^th and 23^rd spot respectively.

 

Below are UAE admission figures for Bollywood movies that released in 2019:

War – Screened for 6 weeks | Over 275K admissions

Bharat – Screened for 4 weeks | Over 183K admissions

Gully Boy –  Screened for 7 weeks | Over 169K admissions

Saaho (Hindi Version) – Screened for 2 weeks | Over 164K admissions

Dabangg 3 – Screened for 3 weeks | Over 153K admissions

Uri: The Surgical Strike – Screened for 11 weeks | Over 125K admissions

Badla – Screened for 7 weeks | Over 124K admissions

Super 30 – Screened for 5 weeks | Over 122K admissions

Kabir Singh – Screened for 8 weeks | Over 121K admissions

Housefull 4 – Screened for 4 weeks | Over 121K admissions

Total Dhamaal – Screened for 6 weeks | Over 120 K admissions

 

Based on the hype garnered by the movie and popularity of movies starring Akshay Kumar in the Middle East, Sooryavanshi is guaranteed to usher in large Asian and Indian language movie fans from across the region.

 

Don’t miss out on moving your brand closer to its target audience. Contact us for more information on following this Mega Blockbuster.

 

 

Sources: Business Insider, Clout News, Gulf News, India Today and Wikipedia

Witness The Grit of Mulan in Disney’s Latest Live-Action Remake!

Following a long-running history of successfully bringing legendary tales to life through animation and music, and hot off the heels of live-action remakes such as Dumbo, Aladdin and The Lions King in 2019, Disney is set to release the reboot of Mulan in March 2020.

Mulan – directed by Niki Caro, is the story of a young woman named Hua Mulan who risks everything out of love for her family and her country to become one of the greatest warriors China has ever known.

The remake will star Liu Yifei as the title character and since Disney premiered its teaser and official trailer, fans noticed some pretty big changes – General Shang, Shan Yu, or Mushu are no more!

The original animated movie was a musical, with characters singing songs throughout the story. According to Caro, there will also be no singing in this live-action adaptation, either.

Audiences in general can’t seem to get enough of Disney’s live-action remakes of classic animated films. They’re big, they’re colorful and most of them seem to be offering a new take on beloved characters.

 

Below are Worldwide Box Office figures for Disney’s most recent live-actions remakes:

Cinderella (2015) – Over US$534 Million

The Jungle Book (2016) – Over US$962 Million

Beauty and the Beast (2017) – Over US$1.26 Billion

Aladdin (2019) – Over US$1.05 Billion

The Lion King (2019) – Over US$1.65 Billion

 

The remake of the Chinese warrior is already poised to capture the hearts of audiences from around the world, and has broken a few records.

The official teaser trailer for Mulan logged an epic 175+ million views (globally) in its first 24 hours online, making it the 2^nd ‘Most Viewed Debut Trailer’ for a Disney live-action adaptation. It is also the 7^th ‘Most Watched Trailer’ of all-time behind Avengers: Endgame (trailer 1 & 2), Avengers: Infinity War (trailer 1 & 2), The Lion King (teaser trailer) and It (teaser trailer).

 

Watch the final trailer for Mulan:

 

Here’s why Mulan will be yet another Disney remake success:

 

A Symbol of ‘Girl Power’

 

Similar to other Disney movies, Mulan (1998) has not been forgotten and still gets heavy rotation in households all over the world. This means new generations have been introduced to the girl who dresses up like a guy to take her father’s place in the army. Hua Mulan battles it out with the enemies—more than once— then goes on to saving the kingdom, all while breaking free from the shackles of patriarchy. Little girls across the world love what Mulan represents – a young girl who fights for herself and never backs down.

Kids’ reviews of the original movie from 1998 reveals that little girls love what Mulan represents.

Here are some reviews from girls ages 11-13 on Common Sense Media:

“Mulan is an inspiration to me! The way she defeats the army and shows that women can do anything men can do really moves me. I also love her love interest, voiced by Donny Osmand. Mulan has violent scenes because it is war based and it might be scary for young children. Mulan was my first hero and I’m sure she inspires many other women.”

“Disney movies are usually stereotypical and about girls (meaning blonde blue eyed models) that fall in love and become princess with help from a magical beings. Not this girl! I love how Mulan fights for herself and never backs down … Mulan has good messages about that girls are strong and just as powerful as men. Every girl should see this movie at least once. One of my favorites. Really just an inspirational movie about girl power. Very good. Mulan is a true hero in my book.”

When it comes to the movie director, Niki Caro (The Zookeeper’s Wife) is at the center of this period-piece action fantasy. Caro is the second female director to be hired by Disney to direct a movie exceeding a $100 million budget following A Wrinkle in Time. Caro has a highly-impressive track record as a director and having a woman’s eye on a legendary female-fronted tale is a good move by the studio.

Speaking at the New Zealand Power of Inclusion Summit in 2019, Caro pointed out that Mulan is a landmark for representation not just for having a woman director, but also for having a female director of photography in Mandy Walker (Hidden Figures) and a female first assistant director, Liz Tan (Spider-Man: Homecoming, The Hobbit Trilogy).

 

‘Nostalgia’ a Magnet at Box Office

 

What makes Mulan an unforgettable character? Her brilliance, heart, and bravery are what made her a legend. Though she’s already smart and compassionate, Hua Mulan winds up becoming a fierce fighter in the Chinese army, learning to work on a team and independently. Honor and love for family were central to her journey. All of those elements are present in all versions of the film’s trailer.

Fans of Disney’s first version of Mulan are hyped about seeing a more realistic portrayal of the warrior’s story. She’s a favorite among Disney princesses and although the new film will be missing Mushu and its charming musical numbers, that won’t stop people from seeing it.

 

2020 Version Closer to the Original Story

 

When Disney released Mulan in 1998, it did not go over well with Chinese audiences. Part of that had to do with a lack of promotional activities in the country, but since the ‘90s, the Chinese box office has become a powerhouse for American films. Another reason it flopped was because of its storytelling. Various versions of Hua Mulan’s story have been told in Asian cinema for decades, but those were accepted since they focused on the original epic.

The BBC reports that Disney was extra careful with the story of Hua Mulan this time, using the 6th century ballad as its guiding light. This time, the storytelling will be more inclusive of traditional Chinese customs that were the norm at the time.

When the BBC examined how the trailer was received overseas, they mentioned the social media site, Weibo, where users posted comments such as: “Hua Mulan was the heroine who graced our storybooks in school. I’m happy that the trailer is setting her story up as more of a Chinese martial arts epic rather than an American cartoon.”

In spite of complaints about historical inaccuracies, the trailer has been well-received for Mulan, a film that’s shaping up to be a depiction of the legendary girl warrior who’s been celebrated for centuries. For many fans, March can’t come fast enough.

 

An All-Asian Star Cast

 

Not only is Mulan great for its strong female lead, but the 2020 version seems to have done justice by avoiding whitewashing. The live action remake is sticking to its plot and heritage, with casting focused on actors of Asian ethnicities who appeal to both Chinese and Western audiences.

After a team of Disney casting directors conducted a year-long search, traveling across five continents and auditioning nearly 1000 candidates, Liu Yifei was selected to play the role of Hua Mulan.

*Did you know – According to the cinematographer of the film, the battle sequences in Mulan were all done in front of the camera and Liu Yifei did 90% of her own stunts.

Donnie Yen has been cast as a fresh character named Commander Tung, who will serve as Hua Mulan’s mentor and teacher. Yen is best known for his role in Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (2012), the Ip Man films and Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000).

Among the new characters introduced for this version of the film, the main antagonist in the movie is a powerful witch named Xian Lang, played by Li Gong. The actress also played the main villain in Memoirs of a Geisha (2005) to much acclaim. Her inclusion adds an element of magic to Mulan not seen before, perhaps creating new circumstances for the army.

Jason Scott Lee – best known for his portrayal of Bruce Lee in Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story (1993) and his voice role of David in Lilo & Stitch (2002) is also joining the movie as Bori Khan.

Jet Li has been casted by Disney as the Emperor of China in the upcoming live-action film. Li is one of the most prominent Chinese actors to grace Hollywood, starting with his debut in 1998’s Lethal Weapon 4. In the early ’00s he made a name for himself as a martial artist action hero, most recently appearing in The Expendables movies. Li and Liu Yifei have worked alongside each other before in The Forbidden Kingdom (2008).

Yoson An will play the role of Chen Honghui – Mulan’s rival and love interest, in 2020’s version the legendary tale.

 

Boxoffice Pro is projecting Mulan to make $40 – 60 million in its US opening, while Motivate Val Morgan forecasts over 520K admissions for the movie in the UAE.

Mulan is set to grace cinemas across the Middle East on 26^th March, 2020. Contact us for cinema advertising opportunities alongside this MEGA Blockbuster.

 

 

Sources: Deadline, Forbes, Heroic Hollywood, The Hollywood Reporter, Cheat Sheet, The Numbers, Boxoffice Pro. and Wikipedia

4DX – The Record-Breaking Cinema Format in 2019

4DX had its best year yet at Global Box Office in 2019, with CJ 4DPLEX – the company behind multi-sensory 4DX cinema technology, announcing it had a record-breaking year, grossing more than £246 million ($320 million) for 4DX worldwide.

Marking a 12% increase from 2018’s record of $286 million, it was the best year yet for the groundbreaking format. The uptick is partly credited to booming revenues in the U.S., where 4DX Box Office increased by 73% from 2018, while European markets grew by 17% from the previous year.

The announcement was further proof that a rising tide lifts all boats, after the global box office hit a record high in 2019, surpassing $42.5 billion. Overseas revenues also soared to new heights, topping $30 billion for the first time.

The trend toward premium and immersive cinema formats is helping to fuel this growth.

4DX provides cinema audiences a variety of special effects in cinemas, such as vibrating chairs, blowing winds, fog, and splashing water, through the use of specially designed in-theater technology.

 

Listed below are the 7 highest movies that smashed 4DX Box Office Records in 2019:

 

Avengers: Endgame – $34.4M

 

 

Aladdin – $25.9M

 

 

The Lion King – $23.2M

 

 

Frozen 2 – $18.8M

 

 

Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw – $16.9M

 

 

Captain Marvel – $14.0M

 

 

Spider-Man: Far From Home – $13.2M

 

The top 4DX markets – Japan, China, Korea, France, U.S, Mexico and United Kingdom – together account for more than 66% of the format’s total global box office takings in 2019. These markets broke records in attendance and global box office, surpassing the top seven record of 2018. Most of all, U.S. became the biggest grosser among seven countries as 4DX box office grew more than 73% in comparison to 2018.

 

The multi-sensory format and Cinema Advertising

4DX engages audiences to be part of the adventure whilst experiencing the entirety of virtual reality, and also offers advertisers an exciting format of cinema advertising – guaranteed to create greater brand impact.

Here’s an article with example 4D cinema campaigns booked through MVM:

Achieve Greater Brand Impact with 4D Cinema Advertising

Break through the confines of advertising and explore the possibility of aligning your brand with a movies scheduled to release in 4DX format across the Middle East.

 

 

Mulan

 

No Time to Die

 

Black Widow

 

F9

 

Wonder Woman 1984

 

Top Gun: Maverick

 

Ghostbusters: Afterlife

 

Jungle Cruise

 

The King’s Man

 

Contact us for 4D cinema advertising opportunities across the Middle East.

 

 

Sources: Digital Cinema Report and PR News Wire