Mysterious Marly

Client

Parfums de Marly

Role

Storyboarding,Direction, Post-production

The sky threatens. A mysterious man arrives at a grand palace in an Italian supercar, and as he steps out his aura is palpable. On his way he passes a thoroughbred stallion – both stop to recognise each other’s untamed nature. Then we follow him inside: is he here for a secret party or something more profound? The answer awaits behind a pair of towering doors…

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Cultivating mystery in film is to master the art of suggestion. You are inviting audiences to wander through the shadows, asking questions rather than getting answers.

Suspense lurks in negative space, and the camera becomes a conspirator, revealing just enough to entice, but never enough to explain.

The aim is to spark the imagination: compelling viewers to lean in and search for meaning, while feeding off the subtle pulse of the unknown.

When the brief came through from French perfume brand Marly, we knew we were going to have to use all the tricks in the book to pull things off.

They wanted a classic Hollywood setup: an opulent backdrop, a charming hero, and an elevated quest, all reflecting the elegance and sophistication of their products.

But we weren’t allowed to show any of the characters’ faces – as anonymity is a fundamental part of their brand guidelines.

We translated these intentions into a meticulously detailed storyboard – which is always the scaffolding of our projects.

Then through lighting, sound, and mise-en-scene, we sculpted an atmosphere where even the familiar feels uncanny.

The final work renders the audience complicit in the act of discovery, drawing them into a world where answers glimmer just out of reach. Their own imagination fuels a deeper overall sense of meaning for the film, product and brand.