ASTON MARTIN COVERS LELOUCH

Aston Martin recently posted a short film for the new 2012 V8 Vantage on their YouTube channel. In the film, images of a gorgeous car making its sleek way through the evening are intercut with images of a lovely woman walking through the city. As the soundtrack lulls you into the cinematic experience, the purr of gears shifting keeps one on edge to see the pictures culminate into a cohesive narrative. The mood is anticipatory and sensual, but the fading light and the brand of the car suggest mystery. Finally, the intercutting reveals that she is ascending the steps to a meeting place. The Aston Martin comes to a stop at a high landmark looking over the city. And this is when the cinemaphiles in the audience suddenly know what this is about: In a perfect homage to Claude Lelouch's classic film, C'etait un Rendezvous, shot in Paris with a Ferrari in 1976, the Aston's driver climbs out of his car just as his lover enters the frame. There is a moment of relief and excitement as they run to each other. And like Lelouch's iconic film, the short ends with the lovers in an embrace. Although it does not get the heart pumping like Lelouch's first-prerson pov with the sound of that famous Ferrari engine, Aston Martin's promotional film is quite a nice modern interpretation. Maybe it is because each film was inspired by different goals, but I do detect a noticeable change in focus from the thrill of the journey toward love in the past vs the celebration of image and product in the present. Take a look at both below and see what you think. The original is available from Spirit Level Films. Thanks to Theo Wenner for introducing me to C'etait un Rendezvous years ago when we were swapping great cinema!

RACING SALE ACTIVE!

As Spy Vibe reported last week, Spirit Level Films has put together an amazing bundle of documentary movies for a very special holiday sale. The GT Collector's Pack includes the cult fave, Rendezvous, by Claude Lelouch, The Snake and the Cobra (about the Ferrari/Cobra wars. Spy Vibe page), GT Racer seasons 1 & 2, and Shaken & Stirred (“Imagine the feel and style of John Frankenheimer’s 1966 Grand Prix with wa-a-ay more beautiful cars and you're halfway there. Aston Martins, Cobras, Maseratis"). These films often put you in the driver's seat of vintage cars, and they go behind the scenes to celebrate the history and culture of racing form and function. The GT pack is on sale until November 21st. Limited stock, so act fast if your a vintage racing fan. More info on the Spirit Level Films website here.

FERRARI COBRA WARS

As reported yesterday, Spirit Level Films is about to launch a limited sale on a bundle of their best documentary movies about vintage racing. If you love the cars and driving action of retro James Bond films, you're bound to love these movies about classic auto design and performance. In addition to the thrilling ride in a Ferrari with Claude Lelouche in Rendezvous (see last post), the set also includes The Snake and the Stallion about the famous Ferrari-Cobra wars. Cinema Retro fans might recognize a split-screen production style reminiscent of The Thomas Crown Affair with actor/racer Steve McQueen. Here's a brief trailer.

START YOUR ENGINES!

If names like Ferrari and Cobra ignite your imaginations with the exciting sites and sounds of vintage racing, then have we got news for you! Spirit Level Films is about to launch a special sale on a bundle of their racing documentary films. Stay tuned and get ready to start your engines! In the meantime, enjoy this fantastic cult fave by Claude Lelouch (A Man and a Woman). From Spirit Level: You'd be hard-pressed to find a film as steeped in myth as C’était un Rendezvous. Absolutely compulsive - this astonishing, exhilarating and now legendary drive through a beautiful 70s Paris with its surprise ending has been enjoyed for many years as an almost Masonic secret among enthusiasts. Whisper the words "Have you seen Rendezvous?" and you'll receive either a knowing, "No, but I've heard it's unbelievable" or a smug, "It is un-be-lieve-able". Filmed in 1976, the revered short film by seminal French director Claude Lelouch is regarded as the ultimate in chase scenes - the connoisseurs' trump card in response to "Bullitt" or "The French Connection".

C'était un rendez-vous from Kairos Mosaïque on Vimeo.