Dear Shaded Viewers,
The film tells the story of the 125 years of Smythson while using film techniques popular for each decade.Smythson is doing a series of films that look to the future while celebrating its past. The opening of the film uses the 'zoetrope' technique, that was a pre-cinematic tool very much in vogue at the time. The 1900 used the magic lantern effect while the 40's was seen through a row of diaries that transform into an animated flipbook sequence.
Retroprojection was a popular technique in Hollywood in the 1950's and helps create the Smythson journey as a brand. The 60's is an optical art through the eyes of Escher and the 70's use layers of paper to replicate a psychedelic effect. Digital imaging marks the 90's and the film enters the new millennium in 3D. The whole journey is crystallized in the lingering shot of the iconic Eliot bag.
Later,
Diane
Directed by Virgilio Villoresi