December 21, 2012 |
Chanel Homme Allure Sport Eau Extrême. Two words (and no, they are not alluring and sporty): Point Break. Patrick Swayze in his post-Dirty Dancing, post-Ghost glow of attractiveness. Keanu Reeves in a wet suit, creating the illusion of attractiveness despite the Botoxed-no-expression facial expressions pre Botox. One nominated for, the other winning, MTV’s Most Desirable Male in 1992. Both alluring and sporty. If the film we to be re-released, complete with Smell-O-Vision, you would be simultaneously enjoying the thrill of “27 banks in three days – anything to catch the perfect wave!” and the nasal pleasures of musk and tonka bean. Mandarin and cypress. Cedarwood and sandalwood. Spearmint, too. This film would smell of Chanel. It would smell extreme. It would signify tense moments in much the same way music does. Underscore “the exhilaration of anticipation”, the “thrill of the feat”. It would, simply put, make for a superior cinema experience. The reason we bring this up, is that we feel that Chanel is surely making a bid to finally bring Smell-O-Vision to the screen. Admittedly, it has been done, but only once, and that was back in 1960. So, it’s due for a revival. So to that end, Chanel have created a mini cinematic experience in the form of an ad. A Point Blank part deux. Like the original, it’s directed by Kathryn Bigelow and stars big wave surfer Danny Fuller. Shot in black and white, echoing the cold grey steel of the bottle, it’s a story of an athletic feat. It involves daring mechanics and thorough knowledge of all parameters. “At any moment, the slightest error can be fatal. An awareness of danger further strokes the desire to take that leap. Like a surfer about to enter a ground swell, the eyes are engaged straight ahead. At an unfathomable level of concentration, this trance-like state goes beyond all understanding.” And, at that moment, we feel scent should be furiously pumped through the room, giving you an adrenaline rush similar to the one you’d get when catching that wave but from the comfort of your own home. You, too, can be a thrill-seeker without ever having to look danger in the eye. Just remember to spritz away from your face.
by Natalie Dembinska
