Chris Fowles’ latest work for Subaru beautifully captures the call of wild places—those vast, untamed landscapes that offer both solace and challenge. His film explores the powerful connection between nature and self – striking a perfect balance between stillness and stepping outside of one’s comfort zone – and illustrating how these spaces shape who we are and how we engage with the world around us.
The commercial highlights the flexibility and opportunity that the new Subaru Forester provides, taking you where you need to go with a focus on comfort and support.
Chris had this to say about the project:
“Car spots are always great to work on, but it’s even more interesting when the car itself plays a small role in the story.
From the start, the agency and client were set on making this a human film - one about bravery and overcoming anxieties.
I suggested opening with a single unbroken take to really trap her in the moment and build up to the actual jump. That, I think, is what makes the film special.
We shot in late January in Snowdonia, expecting the worst the English weather could throw at us, but it ended up being the most amazing sunny warm day.
The lake itself was still about 4-5 degrees and I definitely wouldn’t have tried to go in myself… but we had to create the cold breath in post because it was just that warm.”
CREDITS:
Agency: Cogent
Art Director: David Finch
Copywriter: Mark Teece
Senior Account Manager: Beth Hinton
Production Company: Junction Eleven
Producer: Lucy McDermott
Production Manager: Alex Hill
Location Manager: Joel Cockerill
Lifeguard/Water Rescue Team: Matt Jones
Director: Chris Fowles
Director’s Agent: The Visionaries
Director of Photography: Rhys Warren
Focus Puller: Raul Menendez
Loader: Dewi Roberts
Steadicam Operator: Gary Kent
Key Grip: Adrian Greenfield
Gaffer: James Duffy (Cinelight)
Spark: Orlando De Silva
DIT / BTS: Peter Hackett
Photographer: Daniel Du Cros
Photography Assistant: Steve Thomas
Editor: Peter Hackett
Post-Production: Black Kite
Colourist: Thomas Mangham
Sound: JJ Mitchell
VFX: Afterworld Studio
Camera: Panavision