Yes, it’s a car ad—but it’s also a queer love story that unfolds over 30 years. Yes, you’ll need tissues.
The ad, “30 Years in the Making,” follows two girls, one English and one French, who meet on a school exchange program, keep in touch over subsequent years, and eventually fall in love. Homophobia and family disapproval might mean the end of their relationship, however. You’ll have to watch to learn the ending. A cover of “Wonderwall” by Oasis provides the heart-wrenching soundtrack.
One might not even know it’s a car ad until you realize the same car model, Renault UK’s subcompact Clio, appears throughout the piece. Adam Wood, marketing director at Renault UK, explained in a statement, “We wanted to humanise and celebrate, not just thirty years of progress of the Renault Clio, but also the progress made within culture, society and life in that time.”
Dave Monk, executive creative director at Publicis•Poke, the ad agency that created the spot, added, “While technology, design, attitudes and culture will always shift and change, one thing will always stay the same as long as humans have hearts. The love story. This is a simple and universal tale of two souls on their own enduring journey of life, love and passion.”
The ad will run on TV, movie, video on demand, social media, and out-of-home advertising, among other channels, according to the company.
Watch it below. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.