January 2011 - Lāčplēsis Beer commercials - Grandma Films - Lithuania

Film!CanaryIslands was approached by Vaidus Vaikus from Grandma Productions in Lithuania with a storyboard set in a Latvian forest to promote Lāčplēsis beer. The catch was to find a forest location that resembled Latvia but was not covered in snow, as are the Latvian forests at this time of year. We came up with the Corona Forest in northern Tenerife, which had similar vegetation and although quite mountainous at 1,200 meters, had sufficient areas of flat terrain that would mimic the flat scenery of Latvia. The clients were happy with the choice of location and so the scene was set! The story involves two bears carrying out a "heist" on a Lāčplēsis delivery lorry. One bear plays dead in the middle of the road causing the driver to stop and have a closer look, while the second bear steels a crate of beer from back of the lorry.

Although there is very little traffic in this remote corner of Tenerife, we still had to stop the occasional car during takes. It was absolutely fabulous to see the faces of the drivers as they went past the set, staring wide-eyed at actors in realistic bear costumes standing at the edge of the forest. One German tourist even slammed on the breaks to take a photo from the window.

Watch the finished spot!

Production Company: Grandma, Lithuania
Producer: Vaidas Vaickus
Service Producer: Norbert A Schilling
Director of Photography: Daniël Bouquet
Director: Billy Pols