Why can't all commercials be this good?

Best thing I've seen all night. Thank you.

In response to your question...Charlie Sheen.

:)
 
If she was arrested and THEN charged, then that aint no chicken soup.
All this commercial says to me is that
a.) know the import rules when you travel, which she could of gotten in her own language before she left.
b.) sewing fake heart strings to tug does not make a good commercial.
 
As a commercial - doesn't really work for me. Needs to be shorter, a much tighter editing and a stronger ending.

But as a lesson of story telling - WOW!

It instantly pulled a string, deep inside of me that made me care for her.
Cinematography is also very well executed. Love that stopped down long lens look.

Frank
 
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I love it!

I wouldn't call it a good commercial, however.
It's too long, and it make me wonder what it's got to do with the bank...

As a short film that made possible by a bank, yes it's a great little film.


Thanks for sharing!
 
Well done. Thanks for the link.

A few more scenes and it could be a feature! I almost expected Bruce Willis to show up from the 12 Monkeys airport scene.

Although the Mother forgot she already mailed her daughter 200 packs of soup mix!
 
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Reminds me of the scene from The Terminal, which I enjoyed. This piece is clearly well crafted, but didn't connect with me. I dare say it struck me as melodramatic; any one else feel the same? I think I was turned off because the drama (arrest scene) is introduced before sufficient characterization of the mother. Then again, it sounds like many here instantly connected with the woman and consequently bought in to her struggle.

We always hear to "open with a bang." In this case, however, I wonder what a slow-played hand might have produced. A less heavy-handed introduction might also have retained my trust as a viewer. Unfortunately, the yelling at 0:53s was too heavy for me as well.

Still, an impressive risk by a bank to fund a 3-minute short film.
 
I can agree with everything else that has been said already. ButI thought the woman did a fine,fine job as an actress. Good work on her part.
 
Great concept, looks very good, but did not connect emotionally with me.
Melodramatic, over the top security, and why would somebody who'd never flown before travel all that distance alone, with no printed help or tips or assistance of any sort?

Still, a bold spot from a bank, undeniably (did she take out a loan to buy the ticket???).
 
I don't know if this is a cultural thing or not. Commercials in the US are 30 seconds. Any more than that and you lose at least some of your audience. I don't know if that is the case in Taiwan. I've never been there, but the commercial is made by Ogilvy, and they probably know what they're doing. They've been around this business for a while.

For the bank, it is really simple; their message is short and to the point: "for ordinary people with extraordinary dreams". And the story - stories, actually since this is a series of commercials - is based on a real person and a real story. I don't know why she traveled, or where, or why she wasn't prepared. That is in my opinion the wrong question.

She did it.

And she got to where she intended to go. Her daughter got the chicken soup, with the Chinese spices. I think the story is good, and well told.

Anyway, here's the commercial that started this for me; I ride motorcycles.
Enjoy:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vksdBSVAM6g

Same bank, same ad agency, same message. Different story.
 
Networker said:
She did it.

And she got to where she intended to go. Her daughter got the chicken soup, with the Chinese spices. I think the story is good, and well told.
Click to expand...

Er... she got arrested. How is getting to where she intended to go? Unless her daughter was in jail...
 
Michael Traven said:
Er... she got arrested. How is getting to where she intended to go? Unless her daughter was in jail...
Click to expand...

My impression is that she was let go after explaining what it was in her bag. We never see her being taken away in handcuffs or anything like that. I guess I assumed - maybe incorrectly - that she succeeded since her story was used. Otherwise it wouldn't be much of a commercial.

But I may be wrong about all that. Wouldn't be the first time.
 
The ending was a bit vague. I thought she got past, just because it was obvious is was herbs (then why'd they say she had illegal substances?) and why was she so strong about wanting the stuff? Yes it's sentimental to make the soup, but THAT sentimental? Also would they arrest her for illegal non dangerous herbs?

I also agree the "arrest" or whatever it was scene came too soon. It tugged at my strings when she explained the soup, but it made the second half fall flat for me as it just repeated and didn't go anywhere.

Too long.
 
it's a commercial for a friggin bank.... yet another case of zero connection nonsense. lewis black illustrated it best: "Three rabbits are on a log, and one of them goes home and hangs himself.....buy a bike"
 
Networker said:
My impression is that she was let go after explaining what it was in her bag. We never see her being taken away in handcuffs or anything like that. I guess I assumed - maybe incorrectly - that she succeeded since her story was used. Otherwise it wouldn't be much of a commercial.

But I may be wrong about all that. Wouldn't be the first time.
Click to expand...

Okay, I see what you're saying. The start kind of threw me off (not emotionally, as it did for others) because it said she was "arrested." I don't how good their English is, but you don't get arrested at an airport, you get detained. If you DO get arrested at an airport, that means you're actually going to jail.
 
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