SMUGGLER

Variety: Apple’s holiday film “A Critter Carol,” directed by Mark Molloy, brings a handcrafted warmth to the season. Shot entirely on the iPhone 17 Pro, the spot follows a group of handmade woodland puppets who record a charming musical message about friendship. Molloy’s emphasis on tactile, puppetry-driven storytelling gives the film its signature heart, highlighting his commitment to craft and emotional simplicity.

Wallpaper: C Prinz brings raw physicality and instinct-driven artistry to Charli XCX’s new “Wuthering Heights” era, redefining the pop star’s movement and visual language for the intense, gothic world of “Chains of Love.” A multi-hyphenate across film, creative direction, and choreography, Prinz channels emotional turbulence into visceral, body-first storytelling, reflected in the video’s extreme stunts and kinetic, edge-of-control staging. Building on her deep creative history with Charli from the Brat era, she shapes a performance style rooted in gut instinct and improvisation, turning the artist’s natural impulses into electrifying expression.

Remezcla: Buena Vista Social Club brought its celebrated Cuban rhythm to the 99th Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, marking a landmark appearance for Broadway’s first musical performed entirely in Spanish. Fresh off five Tony Awards and a Grammy nomination, the cast carried the show’s vibrant energy to millions, extending its spirit to one of the country’s most beloved holiday traditions.

Little Black Book: Guy Shelmerdine speaks with LBB’s Addison Capper about the delightfully surreal launch film for Stiller’s Soda, Ben Stiller’s playful reimagining of the classic soda commercial. The launch film, Introducing Stiller’s Soda, casts Stiller as a well-intentioned spokesman whose pitch slowly unravels into a bizarre, ASMR-infused exchange with Justin Theroux. Guy discusses how he and Stiller struck the perfect balance between nostalgia and modern humour, blending glossy ’80s aesthetics, slow-motion pours, and meticulous craft to create a parody that feels both cinematic and unexpected.

Little Black Book: Olivia De Camps directs ‘The Periodic Fable’, a surreal new film for The Ordinary and Uncommon Creative Studio that challenges the beauty industry’s reliance on misleading marketing terminology. Set in a dystopian classroom, the spot features students hypnotically reenacting viral skincare rituals while chanting a litany of buzzwords. Blending sculptural choreography with sharp satire, Olivia brings Uncommon’s concept to life with a vivid, unsettling clarity that underscores The Ordinary’s ongoing commitment to transparency and truth in skincare.

Jovan Todorović delves into presence, joy, and trust in the creative journey, in a talk inspired by David Foster Wallace’s “two fish” parable. Through behind-the-scenes stories and hard-earned lessons from music video and commercial productions, he encourages those in the creative field to embrace chaos, reject cynicism, lead with love, and be their own toughest critic. It’s about recognizing the water we’re swimming in and staying true to ourselves.

Little Black Book: For its debut brand campaign, OpenAI swaps sci-fi for sincerity, showcasing how ChatGPT fits into the small but meaningful moments of daily life. Directed by Miles Jay and in collaboration with Isle of Any, the 35mm-shot films turn prompts into poetic closing credits, framing real user stories like cinematic finales. The campaign balances warmth, craft, and emotional authenticity, spotlighting AI as a quiet co-creator in people’s lives.

Little Black Book: A playful, behind-the-scenes dive into the making of Randy Krallman’s Telstra sci-fi campaign starring Steve Buscemi. The spot transforms cybersecurity into an intergalactic workplace drama, blending retro-futuristic design, dry humor, and a cinematic mix of practical and visual effects. With nods to Kubrick and classic space operas, the production balances high-concept world-building with sharp comedic timing.

The Guardian: A House of Dynamite is a terrifyingly precise nuclear endgame thriller built on an 18‑minute countdown that’s replayed from multiple standpoints. Tightly structured and driven by intense ensemble performances, the film balances emotional control with flashes of high-stakes drama as world leaders face the unthinkable.