Sauvage Cologne Commercial: Who Stars In This Ad?

Johnny Depp is the face of Dior's Sauvage fragrance. The award-winning actor has appeared in several commercials for the cologne, including one in 2023, which was his first since the Amber Heard trial. In the ad, Depp recites poetry while wearing an all-black ensemble. The commercial is directed by French fashion photographer and award-winning music video director Jean-Baptiste Mondino.

Johnny Depp's role in the Sauvage commercial

Johnny Depp plays a starring role in the Sauvage cologne commercial by Dior. The commercial, which was released in 2015, features Depp as a rock star in need of an escape from the city. As he embarks on a journey down a long dirt road, he encounters a hawk and a buffalo, burying his jewellery along the way. Through shedding his material possessions, Depp's character finds the magic he was searching for.

The commercial marks Depp's return as the face of Dior's Sauvage fragrance following his defamation trial against ex-wife Amber Heard in 2022. In the ad, Depp recites poetry, dressed in an all-black ensemble. "An eagle cries as it circles its prey. The blazing sun high in the ozone blue sky. A trail of cold wind stirs a land of dry wood and stone," he says, before ending with, "This is the call of Sauvage Eau".

Depp's involvement in the commercial is part of a three-year deal with Dior, reportedly worth upwards of $20 million, making it the largest men's fragrance deal in history.

Dior Sauvage's target audience

Dior Sauvage is a men's fragrance that was launched in 2015. It is an aromatic fougère scent inspired by wild, open spaces and rocky landscapes under the desert sun. The fragrance is described as captivating and modern, combining freshness with a touch of warmth and sophistication. With dominant notes of Calabrian bergamot and pepper, Dior Sauvage evokes a fresh and zesty opening. The heart and base notes add complexity and depth with a variety of scents, including lavender, cedar, and ambroxan.

The target audience for Dior Sauvage appears to be both men and women. While the fragrance is marketed towards men, its scent can be enjoyed by anyone regardless of gender. Additionally, it is suggested that over 50% of men's cologne is bought by women, and a third of men's fragrance is worn by women. As such, the advertising campaign featuring Johnny Depp may be designed to appeal to both male and female audiences.

For men, Depp's bohemian cool and roguish charm are likely to be attractive. The commercial, directed by Jean-Baptiste Mondino, features Depp playing a contemporary version of his Pirates of the Caribbean character, Jack Sparrow. He drives into the desert, where he symbolically buries his jewellery, possibly representing a return to his original self. This interpretation of the commercial suggests that it is targeting men who aspire to a greater level of self-awareness and freedom from social norms.

For women, the ad may be seen as an attention-grabbing showcase for Depp's good looks and self-aware, new-age charm. The campaign video, with its high production value and art house influences, presents Depp as a rock star in need of an escape from the city. This narrative of a man seeking freedom and a return to nature could appeal to women who are looking for a similar sense of adventure and exploration in their own lives.

Overall, the target audience for Dior Sauvage appears to be individuals who are seeking a fragrance that captures the essence of wild, open spaces and evokes a sense of freedom and sophistication. The advertising campaign, featuring Johnny Depp, targets both men and women with its combination of good looks, charm, and a narrative that speaks to the desire for self-discovery and a connection to nature.

The commercial's creative influences

The Sauvage cologne commercial starring Johnny Depp is a big-budget production with both art house and pop culture influences. The French fashion photographer and award-winning music video director Jean-Baptiste Mondino conceptualized and directed the video. The commercial features Depp, dressed in black, reciting poetry:

> An eagle cries as it circles its prey. The blazing sun high in the ozone blue sky. A trail of cold wind stirs a land of dry wood and stone. This is the call of Sauvage Eau.

The video shows Depp playing the guitar in the city and then driving into the desert, where he buries his jewellery. This narrative has been interpreted in various ways. One interpretation is that Depp is attempting to recover his original self by rejecting the symbols of his socially created persona, as the species of the animals featured in the commercial (a bison, a wolf, and an eagle) were all nearly extinct.

The commercial features an original music track by Ry Cooder, which sounds similar to George Thorogood's 'Bad to the Bone'. The campaign also includes a print advertisement featuring a stubbled white loner in a serape, a deep ocean blue shirt, and multiple beaded chains and bracelets, staring moodily at a desert landscape.

The commercial's narrative

The Sauvage cologne commercial opens with a shot of Johnny Depp, the enigmatic brand ambassador, playing the guitar in a big city. He then gets into a car and drives into the desert, where he faces off with a hawk and a buffalo before stopping by the side of the road and pulling a shovel from his trunk. Depp, dressed in all black, recites a poem: "An eagle cries as it circles its prey. The blazing sun high in the ozone blue sky. A trail of cold wind stirs a land of dry wood and stone." He then buries his jewellery in the desert, symbolically shedding his material possessions and reconnecting with nature.

The commercial, directed by French fashion photographer Jean-Baptiste Mondino, is filled with symbolic imagery and open to interpretation. One reading suggests that Depp is attempting to recover his original self by shedding the symbols of his socially constructed persona. The eagle, buffalo, and hawk may represent species that were once nearly extinct, further emphasising the theme of rebirth and reconnection with nature.

The ad campaign aims to tell a story of "freedom and emotion, a man and his instincts." It seeks to evoke a sense of wildness and mystery, capturing the essence of the Sauvage fragrance, which is described as fresh and noble with sensual and mysterious facets. The commercial also leverages Depp's appeal as a thinking woman's bad boy, channelling a contemporary version of his famous Jack Sparrow character.

The Sauvage commercial is a high-budget, artistic endeavour that blends arthouse and pop culture influences. It features an original music track by Ry Cooder, reminiscent of George Thorogood's "Bad to the Bone." The ad generated a range of responses, with some critics finding it attention-grabbing and appealing, while others viewed it as bizarre and over the top.

Overall, the Sauvage cologne commercial creates a narrative centred around freedom, instinct, and a return to nature. It invites viewers to interpret the symbolism and creates a captivating campaign for the Sauvage fragrance.

The commercial's reception

The Sauvage cologne commercial starring Johnny Depp has received a mixed reception. While some viewers have praised the commercial for its captivating visuals and Depp's performance, others have criticised it for being generic and uninspired.

On the one hand, some viewers have found the commercial to be underwhelming and unoriginal. They argue that it fails to stand out from other fragrance advertisements, with one reviewer calling it a "boring fragrance with no differentiating characteristics". The commercial has also been described as "very machine-like and fake", lacking the depth and emotion that could have made it more engaging.

On the other hand, some viewers have found the commercial to be enjoyable and visually appealing. They appreciate the wild and open spaces depicted in the advertisement, which aligns with the fragrance's inspiration. One reviewer even goes as far as to say that the commercial is "an act of creation inspired by wide-open spaces".

Overall, the reception of the Sauvage cologne commercial has been mixed, with some finding it uninspired and others appreciating its visual appeal and the performance of its star, Johnny Depp.

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