Ford Media Center

Notorious Paris Thrill Ride 'C'était un Rendez-Vous' Gets Ford Mustang Reboot, with Virtual Reality and 360 View

  • Ford Mustang is the star of a reboot of the iconic driving short “C’était un Rendez‑Vous” – made using 360 and virtual reality technology
  • Famous French film maker Claude Lelouch – who was behind the original 9‑minute film – helps remake petrolheads’ fantasy as “Re-Rendez-Vous” to celebrate 40th anniversary
  • Viewers control camera angle and virtual environment as 5.0-litre V8 GT Mustang Fastback powers through Paris

 

 

COLOGNE, Germany, Feb. 17, 2017 – It’s a film that has become a legend for petrolheads – a driver racing through the streets of Paris for a date that just can’t wait. Now Ford has given short film “C’était un Rendez-Vous” a very modern reboot with the Mustang, to mark the 40th anniversary of the original 9-minute clip – with 360 views and virtual reality technology.

Watch it here: https://youtu.be/BpKYid_Gm5M

The original 1976 movie, created by French film maker Claude Lelouch, captured an audacious drive through Paris in the early hours of the morning. For “Re-Rendez-Vous”, Mustang is the star. Conceived by GTB (Ford’s WPP global agency) in partnership with Lelouch, “Re-Rendez-Vous” follows a similar route past landmarks that includes the Arc de Triomphe, Sacré Cœur Basilica, and Montmarte. For the remake, the driver is a woman.

Lelouch achieved Oscar success for the 1966 movie “A Man and a Woman”, in which the main character drove a white Mustang in the Monte Carlo rally.

“I had goose bumps watching ‘C’etait un Rendez-Vous’ forty years later in virtual reality. At the time, my movie was about the feeling of freedom and the pleasure driving generates,” Lelouch said. “I knew that Ford would do more than just a tribute to the original in this new version. I am delighted to see the Mustang again and to close the loop fifty years after ‘A Man and a Woman’”.

Perfectly recreating the main aspects of the route was a challenge. Some roads have long since disappeared. Due for release later this month, “Re-Rendez-Vous” will first air online and can be viewed in 360 on mobile devices or using a virtual reality headset. There are plans for the film to be shown online via an expandable banner – a virtual reality first.

“Mustang is a symbol of the freedom and thrill of driving. Recreating Lelouch’s cult short film ‘C’etait un Rendez-Vous’ was the perfect way to capture this spirit for a new audience,” said Anthony Ireson, director, Marketing Communications, Ford of Europe.

The Ford Mustang in the new clip is a 5.0-litre V8 fastback. The iconic car is also available as a convertible, and with a 2.3-litre EcoBoost engine. Almost 25,000 cars have been sold and ordered in Europe, since the model was launched here in 2015.

About Ford Motor Company

Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F) is a global company based in Dearborn, Michigan, committed to helping build a better world, where every person is free to move and pursue their dreams.  The company’s Ford+ plan for growth and value creation combines existing strengths, new capabilities and always-on relationships with customers to enrich experiences for customers and deepen their loyalty.  Ford develops and delivers innovative, must-have Ford trucks, sport utility vehicles, commercial vans and cars and Lincoln luxury vehicles, along with connected services.  The company does that through three customer-centered business segments:  Ford Blue, engineering iconic gas-powered and hybrid vehicles; Ford Model e, inventing breakthrough EVs along with embedded software that defines exceptional digital experiences for all customers; and Ford Pro, helping commercial customers transform and expand their businesses with vehicles and services tailored to their needs.  Additionally, Ford provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company.  Ford employs about 177,000 people worldwide.  More information about the company and its products and services is available at corporate.ford.com.

Ford of Europe

Ford of Europe is responsible for producing, selling and servicing Ford brand vehicles in 50 individual markets and employs approximately 53,000 employees at its wholly owned facilities and approximately 68,000 people when joint ventures and unconsolidated businesses are included. In addition to Ford Motor Credit Company, Ford Europe operations include Ford Customer Service Division and 24 manufacturing facilities (16 wholly owned or consolidated joint venture facilities and 8 unconsolidated joint venture facilities). The first Ford cars were shipped to Europe in 1903 – the same year Ford Motor Company was founded. European production started in 1911.

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