Hennessy released a four-minute film by legendary director Ridley Scott visualizing the odyssey experienced in every sip of Hennessy X.O. A 60-second version of the film will premiere in the US during The 91st Oscars airing Feb. 24 on ABC, amplifying the cinematic flair of the campaign on one of Hollywood’s most celebrated nights.
Complementing the idea that “Each drop of Hennessy X.O. is an Odyssey,” the Academy Award-nominated director of the films The Martian and Gladiator as well as cult films Alien and Blade Runner, creates a visual journey that explores the seven flavor profiles in a surreal, sensorial and immersive narrative.
The film is a creative interpretation of each of the seven tasting notes, described by Hennessy’s Comité de Dégustation as illustrations of Hennessy X.O’s taste and feel: Sweet Notes, Rising Heat, Spicy Edge, Flowing Flame, Chocolate Lull, Wood Crunches; culminating in Infinite Echo.
“I was attracted to this project because I was inspired by the potential for art and entertainment to bring this story to life,” said Scott. “Hennessy has a great product, and I was lucky enough to have the freedom to interpret this and create something amazing. I think people will be stunned when they see the film.”
Scott’s film depicts the gathering of shimmering golden liquid, human figures walking in the shadows of bronzed giants, androids coming to life through spicy synapses, beings gliding through a fiery atmosphere and meditating peacefully amongst levitating rocks while lush woodlands are stirred by invisible spirits. As the film culminates we see the worlds co-existing in an omnipresent nebula and are reminded of the director’s mastery in transporting viewers to other worlds.
“It is an honor for Hennessy to partner with a visionary like Ridley Scott,” said Hennessy Global CMO Michael Aidan. “This film showcases Ridley’s artistic genius conveying the essence of Hennessy X.O through entertainment that transcends traditional advertising.”
“When we embarked on this adventure, we dreamed of creating a film that is truly different. But even in our wildest dreams, we did not imagine we would be going to so many incredible new worlds. Together with Hennessy and Ridley Scott, we hope to have achieved a new benchmark in advertising,” says Alexander Kalchev, Executive Creative Director at DDB Paris which partnered with Hennessy in the production.