‘La La Land’ Director Turns Memories Into Epic ‘Odyssey’ In Film For Hennessy

To convey the experience of its famed XO to consumers worldwide, Hennessy has embarked on a visual “odyssey” throughout the years, beginning with director Nicolas Winding Refn in 2016 and Sir Ridley Scott in 2019.

Now, for the third installment of the saga, the Maison has tapped on Academy Award-winning filmmaker Damien Chazelle, best known for creating the likes of La La Land, Whiplash, and Babylon.

For Life is the Greatest Odyssey, the director drew inspiration from the idea of every drop of Hennessy XO being an odyssey of its own, delving into how even small and seemingly insignificant moments can trigger an avalanche of thoughts and memories. 

Chazelle wanted to capture “the French way of wistfully looking back and reflecting” as part of the film. Apart from the captivating visuals, the short film is further elevated by a score created by the director’s long-time collaborator, the renowned composer Justin Hurwitz.

The story follows a musician who relives memories of places, people, sounds, and emotions through a sip of the cognac. An interesting play on the concepts of space and time, the spot ends with gratefulness and hope, encouraging viewers to reflect on their own lives.

“The film centers around the idea that the most fleeting of emotions can trigger an odyssey wherein childhood, early adulthood, and the future overlap,” the director explained.

“With Hennessy XO, I looked into one person’s memories while leaving the audience to complete the picture,” he added.

[via LBB Online and The Drum, images via Hennessy]