It's almost Christmas, but don't worry! There's still time to weep openly at commercials, and this "Lily & the Snowman" spot by Zulu Alpha Kilo for Cineplex is just the thing for that. (And since it's also screening in Cineplex theaters, you can cry like a coal miner's widow right out in public.)
In the animated spot, a Frosty-esque snowman makes elaborate shadow puppets for a little girl, who keeps him alive by locking him in a freezer for most of the year. That sounds really weird, but the cuteness kicks in when the girl grows up and remembers her sun-averse friend during a late night at work. That was when the sobbing began in earnest for many viewers, judging by the YouTube comments.
And if the story and visuals don't get you, the music might. The song—a cover of Genesis' "Follow You, Follow Me" by Adaline—is sung at just the pitch for eliciting sad, nostalgic and/or wistful feelings.
There's been no word about which movies this short will precede, but something tells us Star Wars will be one of them. With all the nerd tears already being shed over the latest movie in that franchise, it would certainly make the most sense.
CREDITS
Agency: Zulu Alpha Kilo
Client: Cineplex
Chief Creative Officer: Zak Mroueh
Executive Creative Director: Allen Oke
Associate Creative Directors: Noel Fenn, Andrew Caie
Art Director: Guilherme Bermejo
Writer: Nick Doerr
Clients: Susan Mandryk, Peter Furnish, Darren Solomon, Maxine Chapman, Laura Mingail
Agency Producer: Tara Handley
Account Team: Mike Sutton, Roy Gruia, Laura Robinson
Strategic Planner: Ebrahim El Kalza
Animation: Hornet
Directors: Dan & Jason, Hyesung Park
Producer: Desiree Stavracos
Rep: Hesty Reps, Lisa Batke
Audio, Music House: Vapor Music
Audio Directors: Joey Serlin, Brendan Quinn
Producer: Kailee Nowosad
Engineer: Julian Rudd
Music Licensing: Heather Gardner
Song: "Follow You, Follow Me"
Original Artist: Genesis
Writers: Phil Collins, Anthony Banks, Michael Rutherford
Publisher: Imagem Music
By arrangement with Casablanca Media Publishing
Performer (English Version): Adaline
Performer (French Version): Julie Crochetière
Media Agency: PHD Media
Media Agency Planners: John Wearing, Andrew Young, Scott Henderson
Read more at http://adland.tv/commercials/cineplex-lily-snowman-2015-230-usa#O7TmOL6etEdVwYXj.99