In the realm of cinema, anything is possible. A basketball player can float in midair while dunking a shot. Dancers break physics and step into mirrors for duets with their reflections. Kung-Fu fighters roundhouse kick their foes through walls.
When these scenes meet the world of advertising, they become striking ads that envelop audiences in feature film-level sagas long before they learn what brands are even being promoted: Nike. Apple. Audi.
As silly or simple as they may be, tireless campaigns often have us counting the seconds until the “Skip Ad” button appears at the bottom of a video, but we Americans still consider the commercials one of the best parts of the Super Bowl. (Dilly dilly, anyone?) Our neighbors across the pond are no different, it seems, and they celebrate the best of the best in UK commercial advertising with the annual British Arrow Awards.
Like a mini film fest for British commercials, Cincinnati World Cinema will screen Gold, Silver and Bronze winners of the 2019 Arrow Awards for two consecutive weekends beginning Friday, Dec. 20. From ads for streaming services to menstrual products to chocolate bars, the winners are comprised of “an eclectic mix of riveting mini-dramas, high-tech extravaganzas, wacky comedy, and vital public service announcements.” Similar screenings at the Walker Art Center in Minneapolis sell out every year.
You can still watch the 2019 winners at britisharrows.com, but the CWC is offering six chances to catch some of the most imaginative, humorous and striking commercials from a year in UK advertising on the silver screen.
Tickets can be purchased at cincinnatiworldcinema.org.
7 and 9 p.m. Friday, Dec. 20; 6 and 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 21; 4 and 6 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 22; 7 and 9 p.m. Friday, Dec. 27; 6 and 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 28; 4 and 6 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 29. $15; $12 student; online discounts available. The Garfield Theatre, 719 Race St., Downtown. cincinnatiworldcinema.org.
