2016 Winners & Shortlists

THE RUSSIAN ODYSSEY

Gold Campaign
BrandDU
Product/ServiceTELECOMMUNICATIONS
EntrantDU Dubai, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES
2 of 2 Campaign
CategoryScript
Entrant Company DU Dubai, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES
Advertising Agency LEO BURNETT DUBAI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES
Production Company GOOD PEOPLE Beirut, LEBANON

The Campaign

du has been providing their customers two movie tickets for the price of one religiously on every Tuesday since the past two years. This has been supported through award winning campaigns that mimic movie scenes. However, 2016 being the third consecutive year, required a different approach. So, we took a bold decision of moving away from showing movie scenes and flexing big production value; and instead, created films that showcase the ‘behind the scene’ and ‘making off’ aspect of movies. An aspect that really excites the movie lovers today. This is the kind of materials movie lovers search for. Having said the above, this year’s execution are humorous and explore the unknown side of movie makers while narrating the story of the script with supporting photographs that replace movie scenes. The entire set up is like a promotional interview taking place which allows the interviewer to ask questions about the movie that the movie makers answer because of their character and end up revealing the entire story (which is generally not the case).

Creative Execution

If you are in the Russian history, “Russian Odyssey” is the definitive document of the rise of the Russian empire. This is the story of two families that are separated, and they slowly come together… very slowly. nineteen generations, one hundred twenty four characters. Ivan Ivanovic, Dimitry Ivanovic, Olyeg Ivanovic Ivanovic, Alexe Alexeyovic Dagranovic who lived for three hundred years. I had to give every single character the same amount of screen time. I wanted “breadth” instead of depth, but i also wanted depth. So the first… I don’t know… quarter of the film, two-two and a half hours, focuses on the main protagonist “ Yohan Ivanovic”. My goal was to be true to each and every one of the 1463 pages of this book. Everything in the book is in the film, but not every thing that is in the film is in the book. I added a lot to this, my assistant director added a lot, my director of photography added a lot… He is the yellow ones. Lawrence of the Arabia… fantastic film, it is too short. If I would have made Lawrence of the Arabia, every grain of sand would have told a story. The camels, where did the camels come from, they have families, they have relationships. That guy is left up. On his death bed, I said David i want you to remake Lawrence, re-shoot the whole thing, it is too short, its way too short. It feels like half done, did you ran out of film?

Credits

Name Company Role
Ahmed Zaki du Client
Ali Ali/Maged Nassar  Good People Creative Director 
Ali Ali/Maged Nassar  Good People Copywriters 
Saad Yusuf  Leo Burnett Dubai  Group Account Director 
Saad Yusuf  Leo Burnett Dubai  Account Director
Saad Yusuf  Leo Burnett Dubai  Planner 
Shereen Mostafa  Leo Burnett Dubai  Head of TV Production 
Shereen Mostafa  Leo Burnett Dubai  Agency Producer
Hosni Ali  The Garage  Sound Design 
Ali Ali//Maged Nassar  Good People Directors 
Good People  Good People  Production House 
Michel Abou Zeid/Cynthia Chammas  Good People  Producer 
Pedros Tamizian  Good People  Assistant Director 
Pierre Mourakech  Good People  DOP 
Filip Malasek/Amr Rabee  Robota/Lizards  Editor 
Sary Hany  Key 66  Music 
Luiz Paulo Furia  Lizards  Post Production 
Luiz Paulo Furia/Karim Mira  Furia/Lizards  Coloring 
Martin Kerjzlik  Freelance  Production Designer 
Rola Brzbohata  Unit Sofa  Line Producer