Hennessy says “Enter the Show” in a campaign by DDB Paris directed by Paolo Sorrentino

For Hennessy’s emblematic VSOP cognac, DDB Paris creates a whole new brand platform, launched by an epic film shot by the Oscar-winning director Paolo Sorrentino. The 360campaign invites us in the sumptuous, eclectic world of VSOP, paying tribute to the origins of the cognac commissioned in 1817 by the future King of England, George IV.

True to the famous Italian filmmaker’s spirit, the film dives headfirst into a madcap, multi-faceted world of luxury, where eclectic and enigmatic characters meet along the search for Edgar, a missing peacock during an epic night. Among this improvised group of friends, we meet a charismatic bellboy, a glamorous diva, a fascinating artist, a curious photographer, and an eccentric peacock owner. They’re joined on their quest by Jackson Wang, the Chinese superstar artist and face of Hennessy V.S.O.P. in Asia, who makes a surprise appearance playing himself.

As the master of finding beauty in the unexpected, Sorrentino seizes the epic theme of serendipity, suave sophistication and manages to bring the spontaneity, excitement and versatility of Hennessy V.S.O.P. Cognac to the screen. Around every corner, there’s a new adventure, as if life were a party open to all, just waiting to be embraced.

Beyond the quest for the missing peacock, our characters follow the flow of the night, embracing the unexpected at every turn. The story ends with them partying with other colorful characters and ends with the new brand tagline “Enter the Show”.

“There’s a lightheartedness about this film. We’re having fun, and I hope that playfulness will resonate with viewers — especially since we live in a moment when lightheartedness has become essential,” said Paolo Sorrentino.

Paolo Sorrentino’s film, fruit of a rich artistic collaboration with DDB, is completed by a full communication ecosystem, (billboards, 3D billboards, multiple digital content…) shot by the photographer Alice Rosati in beautiful, spontaneous pictures of our cast.

The Hennessy V.S.O.P. campaign will be first launched in China. This will be followed by a global launch on Hennessy’s social media channels, starting September 6.

Born in Naples in 1970, the screenwriter and director Paolo Sorrentino studied business and economics before deciding to pursue a career in filmmaking. His first full-length feature, L’Uomo in Più, was selected for the Venice Film Festival in 2001; in 2008 Il Divo won the Prix du Jury at the Festival de Cannes. In recent years, his films have garnered multiple international awards, including an Academy Award, a Golden Globe and a Bafta Award for La Grande Bellezza (2014); in 2022 he won the Leone d’Argento ( Silver Lion ) at 2021 Venice film festival, for The Hand of God.

The leader in Cognac, the Maison Hennessy has shone around the world with its exceptional know-how for more than 250 years. Built on founder Richard Hennessy’s spirit of conquest, the brand is present in more than 160 countries. Based in the heart of the Charente region, Hennessy is also a steadfast pillar of the regional economy. The House’s success and longevity are rooted in the excellence of its cognacs, each of which is born of a unique process of transmission of know-how from generation to generation. The first spirits house to be certified ISO 14001, Hennessy unites its capacity for innovation and the support of all of its partners to protect this exceptional area. As a crown jewel of the LVMH Group, Hennessy is a major contributor to French international trade, with 99% of production sold in export, and a worldwide ambassador for the French art de vivre.

Credits:

DDB PARIS

Chief Creative Officer: Alexander Kalchev

Art Director: Mathieu Massé

Copywriter: Lucie Guidon

Digital Content Art Director: Perrine Tixier

TV Producer / Art Buyer: Quentin Moenne Loccoz

Head of Strategy: Sébastien Genty

Managing Director: Xavier Mendiola

Business Director: Meryl Martin / Louise Riu

Account Manager: Marie Melet / Sabrina Safir

Post-Production: Jerome Deplatière

Print Production: Jocya Mallet

PRODUCTION

Production: COLORS & Lupin Films

Producer: Julie Mathieu Moreau & Riccardo Neri

Line Producer: Guillaume le Gat

Director: Paolo Sorrentino

DOP: Daria D’Antonio

Set Designer: Eugenia Di Napoli

Editor Director’s Cut: Cristiano Travaglioli

Editor: Sophie Reine

Photographer: Alice Rosati

BTS photographer: Martin Aleman

BTS and lifestyle director: Alberto Viavattene

Post-Production: Everest

Sound Production: THE