It was a great pleasure working with Leonard Cohen.
Leonard brought a real human, raw emotion to this piece.
I think it really helped elevate the film, his words, his voice, just one of a kind.
-------------------------------------------------- As for the narration, Leonard Cohen loved Arev’s work, and the level of originality and beauty in the project drew him in. He adapted his original poem ‘That’s What I Heard You Say’ and read it over the stunning score from Oscar winning composer (Black Swan) Clint Mansell.(Live For Films)
Enigmatic illustration & lighting setup (top), final video image (below) Screen shots from "Making of Sony Two Worlds"
October 14, 2011
Ever since Jarkko Arjatsalo, webmaster of The Leonard Cohen Files posted the news about the new Sony commercial featuring Leonard Cohen, I have watched it many times.
I find it mesmerizing.
Leonard Cohen recites a specially written verse, "That's What I Heard You Say". His voiceover is gentle but spoken in a compelling, spellbound way.
Don’t matter if the road is long Don’t matter if it’s steep Don’t matter if the page is gone It’s written that we’ll meet. I loved you when you opened Like a lily to the heat And I love you when it closes A thousand kisses deep
I know you had to lie to me I know you had to cheat You learned it on your father’s knee And at your mother’s feet. But did you have to fight your way Across the burning street Where all our vital interests lay A thousand kisses deep
When I viewed this for the first time, I felt instantly that it was an exceptional work of art, an extraordinary technical production.
The behind the scenes video, "Making of Sony Two Worlds" is equally compelling. I am a fan of "process", so I have watched the "Making of..." video multiple times as well.
*Sony Two Worlds featuring Leonard Cohen* sonyelectronics
Directed by Arev Manoukian and inspired by his short film Nuit Blanche, '"Sony Two Worlds" is a video short showcasing cinematic art with the power of 3D. The short features Sony artist Leonard Cohen, an original soundtrack by composer Clint Mansell and was produced by Grey London
*Making of Sony Two Worlds* sonyelectronics
Agency: GREY, London, UK Executive Creative Director: Nils Leonard Creative Director: Dave Monk and Matt Waller Agency Producer: Jacqueline Dobrin Production Company: Spy Films, Toronto, Canada Producer: Marcus Trulli Director: Arev Manoukian Editing Company: Digital Domain Post Production: Digital Domain
This is only a guess. In the "Making of..." video, starting at 4.53, the camera pans to the sound booth on the left. The lighted lectern and microphone are facing towards the screen. The voice over corresponds with the images on the TV monitor.
