Who’s more intimidating than a burned out, middle-aged action star? A 4-year-old girl armed with a remote control and 18 tons of metal.
Forsman & Bodenfors’ official follow-up to 2013’s “Epic Split” for Volvo Trucks is twice as long and about half as compelling in terms of images that stick with you and Enya songs that you thought you’d forgotten 15 years ago. But it’s still a fun effort that’s very much in keeping with the rest of the “Live Test Series” videos: tightly controlled demos that illustrate the resilience of the client’s trucks when placed under extreme duress.
Volvo and F&B set up an obstacle course somewhere in Serbia complete with explosions and a few abandoned structures that were just itching to be demolished. Then they closed everything off, installed a remote driving mechanism and let Sophie have her way with the FMX or “toughest-ever truck,” which is specifically designed for construction work. Or so they say.
The best part is watching little Sophie’s reactions move from frustration to apparent glee as she wrecks some shit. (SPOILER: the truck lives.)
The look on her face at the two minute mark is kind of terrifying, though.
People will argue, as they did with “Epic Split,” that this project won’t increase sales for Volvo. It does allow for mentions of some new features including Automatic Traction Control, a “revolutionary new feature that automatically engages the front axle when you need it.” Most viewers will not remember that stuff, but, you know, impressions.
Yeah, it’s a longer wait for a smaller payoff, and it probably won’t score quite as many views as its predecessor. But we liked the whole thing from the kind-of epic intro music to the plastic flamingos hanging out in that bigass mud puddle.
And it will definitely win some attention for F&B. No topless selfies needed.
Credits
Client: Volvo
Agency: Forsman & Bodenfors
Writer: Douglas Reid
Senior Account Director: Olle Victorin, Forsman & Bodenfors
Producer: Alexander Blidner
Planner: Tobias Nordström
Photographer: Robin Aron Olsson
Digital Producer: Peter Gaudiano
Designer: Jerry Wass
Copywriter: Björn Engström
Art Directors: Sophia Lindholm, Kim Cramer, Anders Eklind
Account Managers: Anneli Kjellander, Britta Malmberg
Account Director: Cilla Pegelow
Media Agency: BeOn
Music Production: Cobrastyle, Teddybears
Sound Design: Kouz Production
Editor: Nicolas Larrouquere
Post-Production House: SWISS
Production Company: NEW LAND
Producer: Sophie Tamm Christensen
Executive Producer: Erik Torell
Director: Megaforce, Charles Brisgand & Leo Berne