Advertising is truly an amazing thing. For instance, only a few days ago I found under my door a leaflet that I mistook at first for a cinema program. Upon closer inspection however, it turned out to be an advertisement from the Catholic Church.

Speaking of the latter, religious campaigns nowadays are getting fashionably commercialized. On the other hand, utilization of a religious imagery for TV commercials is also turning into something of a fad. I recall one particular creation that I had seen in Czech Republic sometime ago, featuring God and a couple of his angels happily discovering the wonderful qualities of a new laundry detergent.

Gradually the idea of using spiritual imagery for commercials started to intrigue me so much that I one day I simply sat down and wrote a short script myself. Even though I am rather proud with the result, I sincerely hope nobody will find it overtly offensive…

‘Quo Vadis” or a script for a sports car commercial

(All rights are protected)

Frame one:

We see a long, dusty road under the blazing Italian sun… A gnarled road sign, tied to a withered pole by brown string, says ‘Rome’. An old man in a torn, discolored garb trots hurriedly along the bumpy road shoulder. He passes the sign and glances back. His heavily-bearded face looks frantic.

Frame two:

We hear a distant rumble of a car’s engine, and then we see a gleaming sports car (insert the brand name here) fast approaching. The old man freezes on the spot. The car comes to a spectacular halt. We see a mirrored glass of the driver’s door window with a reflection of the old man’s upturned face plastered on it. The glass starts sliding down noiselessly. A dazzling shine fills the entire car’s interior but we can also discern a gentle outline of HIS FACE.

Frame three:

The old man gapes in astonishment. His mouth falls open. He leans forward and utters in a raspy voice: ‘Lord? Is that you? Where are you going? Domini, quo vadis?’ A gentle but insistent voice answers: ‘Into Rome that you’ve abandoned.’ - the English version says ‘I go into Rome to be crucified’ (See here).

The glass slides back up to its place. We see a foot, dressed in gnarled sandal, stepping on a gas pedal. The car roars and darts off. The old man watches in astonishment as it speeds away then brushes off dust and perspiration off his face. The noise dies in a distance. The old man turns around and starts walking back to Rome.

Frame four:

A pleasant male baritone behind the screen announces: ‘NOW HERE’S SOMETHING YOU CAN BELIEVE IN AT LAAAST’. We see the car’s logo shining in the skies and hear a heavenly choir singing a long beautiful note: ‘Aaaaaahhhh…’

The End