Featuring a cast of frequent Wes Anderson collaborators including Rupert Friend, Michael Cera and Waris Ahluwalia, the short cements the collaboration between the wondrous filmmaker and the German brand which began last year, on the 100th anniversary of the legendary Meisterstück.
Montblanc continues its creative collaboration with Wes Anderson, building on the singular world the award-winning filmmaker created with last year’s acclaimed short film to mark the 100th anniversary of the legendary Meisterstück writing instrument. Once again, the filmmaking visionary brings his distinctive visual storytelling and wry, self-referential wit to the screen. In Wes Anderson’s hands, Montblanc becomes a stage for unbridled imagination and playful absurdity, as he subverts expectations with unexpected twists and turns, and invites viewers to experience the world of Montblanc through the lens of creativity and a dose of humor.
This time around the short film features a cast of frequent Wes Anderson collaborators including Rupert Friend, Michael Cera and Waris Ahluwalia and welcomes emerging actor Esther McGregor, the daughter of Ewan McGregor of course. Titled “Let’s Write”, the short film returns to the Montblanc Observatory High-Mountain Library — a surreal, snowbound world perched above the clouds which was already the setting of the first film, released a year ago. This time around, the observatory is inhabited by a trio of mountaineers played by Anderson, Friend and newcomer to the Anderson-verse Michael Cera, who sits in the chair of Jason Schwartzman, literally, from short number one. In a script that continues Anderson’s exploration of Montblanc’s deep connection to the culture of writing, the cast navigates metaphysical musings, brand storytelling and literal gift-giving with equal flair.
And don’t get me started on Anderson sporting that classy ginger ‘stache!
The new story mixes traditional Wes Anderson elements, and cast, with the Montblanc Voyage of Panorama, a staged train car traversing imagined landscapes. Much like in his 2007 film The Darjeeling Limited, the train car experience, in the words of Anderson’s character, “demonstrates the idea of the literal, metaphorical and poetic journey”. The characters reflect on travel as a metaphor for introspection and imagination, each stop a moment to pause, reconnect with the self, and of course, write.
This second short film also made me think of the amusement ride scene in Max Ophüls’ Letter from an Unknown Woman, where Joan Fontaine’s Lisa and the object of her infatuation Stefan, played by Louis Jourdan embark on an amusement ride, in a make-believe passenger coach they take from Venice to Switzerland, with painted backdrops operated by a man on a bicycle. See what I mean?
I also love how Anderson and team refer to the pen as the “Scribbler” a play on the sound of the real name of the pen in German: the “SCHREIBERLING”. In these days of computer keyboards and phone screens substituting for a pen, it’s delicious to watch elegant men, and women, holding a fountain pen and putting it to paper. “Elegant paper,” of course, if Anderson is around.
I can smell the ink from where I’m sitting!
“Montblanc has such an extraordinary, rich heritage and DNA; an endless source of creative material and stories to be discovered and told. In Wes Anderson, we have found the perfect narrator, offering an original lens through which people can discover our Maison” says Marco Tomasetta, Montblanc Artistic Director. “The campaign aims to generate a different kind of emotion that customers can experience at every touchpoint possible, reawakening their curiosity for writing and inspiring them to put pen to paper.”
Throughout the short film, Montblanc products make subtle, and not-so-subtle appearances. Products featured include the new Montblanc Writing Traveler Bag, the iconic Montblanc Meisterstück, the “SCHREIBERLING” (a fountain pen designed by Anderson himself), a Portable Writing Table and a historic Minerva pocket watch — all seamlessly woven into the narrative.
“Anderson’s style defies traditional notions of luxury storytelling. The short film will stop viewers in their tracks, it will likely leave a lasting imprint,” explains Stephanie Radl, Montblanc Global Director Brand Relations and Communications. “By disarming audiences, it encourages them to interact with the brand very differently. Ultimately, they will see that in addition to Montblanc’s craftsmanship and design, the Maison is about inspiring creativity in all its forms and finding new original ways to tell stories.”
Roman Coppola acts as a co-director, as in the previous short featured above, and also directs additional short-form content as part of the campaign, joined by returning producers Jeremy Dawson and John Peet, with the wondrous Darius Khondji who shot the film. Production design was by led Adam Stockhausen and Stephan Gessler, costume design by Oscar winning costumer Milena Canonero, who has joined Anderson on many of his adventures. Production is by Babelsberg Production Group.
In addition to the short film, the brand campaign includes a series of campaign visuals shot by Charlie Gray, with the cast joined by Montblanc Global Brand Ambassadors — Jing Boran and Xin Zhilei from China, alongside Joey King and Daniel Brühl. These visuals will be released across the campaign’s upcoming chapters.
The Let’s Write short film by Wes Anderson is available now, across platforms. To experience the full story and explore the featured products, visit www.montblanc.com
All images courtesy of Montblanc, used with permission.