No. 5 the Film
| Company type | Promotional short film |
|---|---|
| Industry | Film, Advertising |
| Founded | 2004 |
| Founder | Baz Luhrmann |
Key people | Baz Luhrmann (director), Nicole Kidman (star), Karl Lagerfeld (wardrobe and cameo) |
| Products | Short film promoting Chanel No. 5 perfume |
| Owner | Chanel |
No. 5 the Film is a 2004 short film lasting three minutes, helmed by director Baz Luhrmann and featuring performances by Nicole Kidman and Rodrigo Santoro. The wardrobe was crafted by Karl Lagerfeld, who also appears briefly on screen. Fully funded by Chanel with an investment of US$33 million, this project functions as an extended promotional piece for Chanel No. 5 perfume, standing as an early example of branded content. It was originally shown in cinemas across North America before feature films and later adapted into a 30-second commercial broadcast during the 2006 holiday season on major networks in Canada and the United States. Kidman received $3 million for her participation.
Plot
The storyline follows a renowned star (Nicole Kidman) who escapes through Times Square wearing a pink gown and hails a taxi driven by a man unaware of her fame, reminiscent of the narrative in Roman Holiday. After spending four days together in his Lower East Side apartment, her assistant (portrayed by Lagerfeld) instructs her to return to her public life. Paparazzi photograph her as she climbs to a rooftop adorned with large letters spelling out "Coco Chanel", where she is reunited with her lover. The film ends with the closing credits.
Music
The principal musical composition featured is Claude Debussy's "Clair de lune", arranged by Craig Armstrong and performed by the Sydney Symphony Orchestra.
Runtime
Originally around six minutes following early editing stages, the film was shortened to three minutes—including one minute of credits—for television and cinema advertisements. Additional edits resulted in 90-second versions for the UK market and 30-second cuts for audiences in the U.S. and Canada after the initial release.
Sequel
A follow-up directed by Baz Luhrmann, titled Chanel No. 5: The One That I Want, debuted in 2014, starring model Gisele Bündchen alongside actor Michiel Huisman.