Ferrari and French film director Claude Lelouch have revealed their modern interpretation of the legendary C’était Un Rendez-Vous short film.
Le Grand Rendez-vous was filmed on the streets of Monaco during what would have been the Grand Prix, featuring Formula 1 driver Charles Leclerc behind the wheel of a Ferrari SF90 Stradale.
Where the original Rendez-Vous was an illegal early-morning sprint through the streets of Paris, the 2020 remake was filmed on closed roads with the support of local authorities.
C’était Un Rendez-Vous is the story of Lelouch rushing through Paris to meet his Swedish girlfriend at the Basilica Sacre Coeur in the 18th Arrondissement of Paris.
Released in 1976, the short film is soundtracked by the screaming V12 of a Ferrari 275GTB, underscored by a healthy helping of tyre squeal.
The sound was dubbed, of course. The camera car was actually a Mercedes-Benz 450SEL, which made for a more stable base for the camera than the Ferrari thanks to its hydro-pneumatic suspension.
The modern Rendez-Vous is shot from a number of different perspectives and was filmed using a Ferrari, not a Mercedes-Benz.
A crew of 17 was on hand to help with production, and there are multiple camera angles featured.
The film stops and starts as Leclerc collects passengers, and the viewpoint is constantly changing. We do get a healthy dose of low-set bumper camera action, however, as the SF90 is pushed to its limits around Monaco.
There are a number of more subtle links between the original and the remake. The florist in the modern Rendez-Vous is actually granddaughter to Claude Lelouch and Gunilla Friden, the mysterious blonde (and Lelouch’s then-partner) at the end of the original film.
“It was an amazing day, and amazing experience,” Charles Leclerc said after filming.
“I was a bit scared of the four-wheel drive in the beginning but I have to say I’m just extremely impressed.”
Do you think the remake captures the spirit of the original?
