A chimpanzee interacts with diverse species and landscapes as Earth evolves through cataclysmic changes. The operatic film by Broken Heart Love Affair for Royal Ontario Museum (ROM) highlights the resilience of the natural world, culminating in the thought-provoking line, “Listen to natures’ symphony, for it will shape your future.”
By presenting a timeline that extends far beyond humanity’s existence, the campaign invites viewers to experience ROM’s collection in a new way, one that emphasises nature’s enduring presence and reminding viewers that humanity is an incredibly small part of Earth’s expansive story spanning billions of years.
The spot is set to music from the Italian opera, L’elisir d’amore, chosen for its dramatic and timeless qualities that reflect nature’s interconnectedness. The complex and romantic operatic score mirrors the intricacy of ecosystems and emphasises the enduring beauty and connections among life forms across time.
The film was directed by Rune Milton through revolver Films with VFX by Chemistry Film in Copenhagen.
“Our goal was to forge an emotional connection between viewers, the ROM, and the expansive realm of natural history. And what could be more powerful than opera to express that?” stated Craig McIntosh, chief creative officer at Broken Heart Love Affair. “This campaign encourages audiences to engage with ROM’s permanent collection with a renewed sense of wonder, reminding them that every specimen, no matter its size, plays a crucial role in the ecosystem—just as each instrument and voice does in an opera.”
The film is the new chapter in ROM’s Immortal brand platform that explores natural history to help people understand the past, make sense of the present, and shape a shared future. It aims to evoke a sense of awe and wonder, as seen through the eyes of the unique central character – a chimpanzee, a departure from the human-focused lens of the initial Immortal campaign in 2022.
“This campaign is our love letter to the natural world – a clarion call to protect and look after our Earth and everything in it,” stated ROM chief marketing & communications officer, Sally Tindal. “Home to a world-class collection of 18 million artworks, cultural objects, and natural history specimens, ROM plays a vital role in our understanding of nature and the world around us, and we hope this campaign inspires people to revisit the Museum with fresh eyes.
“Our goal was to forge an emotional connection between viewers, the ROM, and the expansive realm of natural history. And what could be more powerful than opera to express that?” stated Craig McIntosh, chief creative officer at Broken Heart Love Affair. “This campaign encourages audiences to engage with ROM’s permanent collection with a renewed sense of wonder, reminding them that every specimen, no matter its size, plays a crucial role in the ecosystem—just as each instrument and voice does in an opera.”
The three-minute Immortal film will be shown in cinemas, online, and on social media throughout the Greater Toronto Area, and will be supported by OOH.
Credits
Client: Royal Ontario Museum (ROM)
Chief Marketing Officer: Sally Tindal
VP, Brand Marketing: Kathryn Brownlie
Manager, Marketing: Katlyn Olo
Manager, Marketing: Emily Wright
Creative Agency: Broken Heart Love Affair
Chief Creative Officers: Jaimes Zentil, Craig McIntosh
Chief Strategy Officer: Jay Chaney
VP, Strategy: Carly Miller
Art Director: Jaimes Zentil
Copywriter: Craig McIntosh
EVP, Managing Director: Rachelle Claveau
VP, Client Success: Cass Farry
Director, Client Success: Jake White
SVP, Executive Producer: Erica Metcalfe
Production Company: Revolver Films
Executive Producer: Richard Cureton, Luc Frappier
Director: Rune Milton
Director of Photography: Paul Meyers
Line Producer: Andrew Peterson
Stock Footage Company: Film Supply
Editorial Company: Chemistry Film
Executive Producer: Camilla Nilsson
Editor: Adam Nielsen
CG & VFX Company: Chemistry Film
Executive Producer: Camilla Nilsson
Creative Director: Mikael Balle
CG Supervisor: Kim Fersling
VFX Supervisor: Mario Maruska
Colour Company: Chemistry Film
Colourist: Nurali Kushkov
Audio House: Chemistry Sound & Music
Sound Design & Mix: Kevin Koch
Record Company: Warner Classics /Erato
Artists: Pene Pati & the Opera National de Bordeaux
Composer: Jonas Horstad Larsen
Producer: Olivier Rosset
Media Agency: Cairns Oneil
