THEto the news of death of David Lynch at 78 years old he is shook the world of cinema. The American director, famous for visionary works such as Twin Peaks And Mulholland Drivehe left an extraordinary legacy made of surrealism, restlessness and dreamlike beauty. While tributes to his art multiply, there is a curious episode in his career that is worth remembering: in 1991Lynch tried his hand at direction of a commercial for Barillain collaboration with the French actor Gérard Depardieu. An Italian parenthesis, discreet but significant, which reveals a less well-known side of the great master.
The 1991 commercial
The commercial, set in the suggestive frame of Piazza Navona in Romeis a little story of kindness and simplicity. Gérard Depardieu, protagonist of the scene, is sitting at a table in a bar intent on reading a newspaper, when a little girl falls from bicycle and starts crying. To console her, Depardieu takes her to his table, le prepare a pasta dish and manages to get a smile from her, under the benevolent gaze of a couple of passers-by.
The ending gives a further touch of lightness: while Depardieu returns to his reading, a young girl arrives on a scooter, played by Alessia MerzThat falls disastrously. With a pleading expression, she also asks for her “consolation dish”. The commercial ends with the claim: «Barilla, the most delicious of Italian creations»celebrating pasta as a symbol of comfort and sharing
David Lynch and Barilla, a surprising combination
The collaboration between David Lynch and Barilla may seem like surprisingbut it’s not entirely random. In the 80s and 90s, many internationally renowned directors approached the world of advertisingattracted by the possibility of experimenting with new visual languages. Lynch, who began his career as a visual artist before becoming a director, found in this project an opportunity to tell a universal story in his own unique style, while still respecting the brand’s message.
And it was not an isolated case. Between the 90s and 2000s, the American director he signed about fifteen promotional videos For internationally renowned brand: from Gio for Giorgio Armani, to Opium by Yves Saint Laurent, up to Adidas, Alka-Seltzer Plus and even the Clear Blue pregnancy test. Even in these projects, Lynch brought his unique style, capable of transforming advertising into small works of art.
A multifaceted artist
With his passing at the age of 78, the world loses a figure who was able to change cinema. His ability to explore the unconscious and its contradictions made him a reference point for generations of artists. Yet, episodes like the Barilla commercial demonstrate that, in addition to his famous films, Lynch also knew how to shine in smaller projects.
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