The commercial is visually stunning, and makes about as much sense as most Wong Kar-Wai movies. The lavishly budgeted spot features Paris-born actress Eva Green floating through some kind of futuristic fairy-tale fantasy looking suitably ethereal in a billowing blue gown. This little soirée is being staged by Parfums Christian Dior to 'celebrate the birth of a fragrance.' The program begins with the screening of a commercial for Dior's new scent, Midnight Poison, directed by Hong Kong auteur Wong Kar-Wai.
Well-heeled guests are ushered upstairs to the mezzanine level, which has been tricked out with acres of fake foliage the sound of Garden of Eden chirruping is being piped in to set the ambience. The sweeping marble stairway of the ornate cultural landmark is lined with dozens of handsome young factota dressed in black, and a director rushes around barking out urgent instructions into his walkie-talkie.
As midnight approaches at the Palais Garnier opera house, in Paris, a grand production is just getting underway.
