World's Best Commercials 1995

Running time: 70 mins

When you think of Cannes, it's probably because of it's annual star-studded film festival. But did you know that Cannes also plays host to an International Advertising Film Festival? Sixteen countries were represented by over 4,200 entries at this year's annual event. Whether loved--Got Milk?--or reviled--Mentos, the Freshmaker--advertising is undoubtedly one of the greatest forces in our lives. This compilation includes ninety-eight stellar, award winners presented in categories ranging from Food and Drink to Public Awareness. Humor plays an important role in a great majority of these spots, but that hardly means there's a sameness or one-note quality to them. In fact, the variety is breathtaking. Little Caesar's takes an absurdist approach with their plate-spinning baby singing Give My Regards to Broadway. Smirnoff prefers LSD flashback-inspired surrealism: a wedding guest peers through a vodka bottle and sees the tame reception turn wildly fantastical. Don't expect all the ads to provide guffaws, though. The public awareness spots are both sobering and thought-provoking. Love it or hate it, when done with this program, you won't be able to deny advertising's ability to move and entertain us. --John Porter

Season:
1997
Director:
Various