unknown filmmaker | D&G Jewels / 2007

narcissus in a rush

by Douglas Messerli

 

Director unknown D&G Jewels / 2007 [33 seconds] [commercial advertisement]

 

This represents one of many short gay commercial advertisements that were made beginning in the 21st century and earlier. In most cases, the director is unknown and the advertisements do not have titles. I have simply designated them by the product name and year in which they were made.

      In Dolce and Gabbana’s jewel and watch ad of 2007, a beautiful, well-dressed woman is planning for a night on the town, as is a young man dressed in a tuxedo. They’re both apparently in mid-Manhattan attempting to catch a taxi for their meet up, the camera showing headed in opposite directions seemingly toward one another.

 

      The woman attempts to hail a taxi but it passes her by as she stares into her bejeweled D&G watch. The young man has already checked out his male version of the watch. Both hurry ahead, realizing quite obviously that they are running late.

      The two rush forward in a series of brief spurts with the sound of a siren in the background, their eyes finally spotting their dates. Neither meet up with one another, but in a quick surprise, with almost doubles of their own gender against a field of neon blue light.

 

      The camera focuses in on the two lesbians, wearing, as one might expect, Dolce and Gabbana necklaces and bracelets.

 

Los Angeles, May 7, 2024

Reprinted from My Queer Cinema blog (May 2024).