Many of Europe’s most popular car commercials have Matthieu Mantovani’s name on them. Mantovani is the director behind campaigns for Volkswagen, Peugeot, Audi, Renault and Mercedes-Benz.
He has turned a simple script about childhood fascination into a magical story for BETC Paris and Mercedes:
And helmed a very famous ad for Volkswagen that made France fall in love again with both hippies and VW vans:
Car advertising is not all he does, though. The comedy and visual narrative director’s recent work includes a campaign for international insurance giant, Allianz, and another for online fashion retailer, YOOX.
He has worked with top tier agencies, BETC, Jung Von Matt, Euro RSCG, Palm Havas and Ogilvy.
The campaign he directed for Longines’ watches, featuring Kate Winslet, Bollywood actress Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and Asian film star Chi Ling Lin, included a short film, Broadway, which screened at the New York Museum of Modern Art.
Matthieu Mantovani is now represented in Australia and New Zealand by Photoplay, following their work together on the NAB campaign, This Is The Story Of Progress, with agency Clemenger BBDO.
Photoplay Films executive producer, Oliver Lawrance, added, “Matthieu’s thoughtful casting, ability to capture relatable humour and build interest via compelling narratives and intriguing characters make him one to watch. We can’t wait to offer his considered eye to our local clients here in Australia and New Zealand.”
Mantovani began his career working behind the lens as an assistant to renowned fashion photographer Paolo Roversi. He then launched his directing career as part of awarded French collective, The Zoo.
His work has been screened at international festivals such as the New York MoMA Short Film International Festival and Clermont-Ferrand International Short Film Festival. He has a grand collection of nominations from Cannes Lions.
Mantovani commented, “After meeting the Photoplay family in Cannes several years ago, and then working with them more recently on a campaign spot for NAB, I could see we really matched up well. They are focused on the craft of storytelling and there is a magic synchronicity to how we connect and work together.”
