Rolex shares a common bond with cinema in terms of their imagination and artistic excellence. Rolex watches are crafted with symbolism that enhances characters’ identities onscreen. The plot is enhanced when an actor wears a Rolex. Personal effects give the character a history, past or destiny. Rolex encourages more than cameos or appearances in the silver screen. The Swiss manufacturer is also committed to the preservation and transmission cinematic art.
Both Rolex and cinema share a commonality — they are aspirational and inspire ambition. Rolex is constantly changing, just as the landscape of cinema. Rolex continues to maintain close ties with the cinematic industry in an effort to support the world of arts and culture. Rolex has been adorned with mythical and dynamic characters in many films, including multiple Oscar-winning masterpieces. It also supports artistic and technical excellence of filmmaking as seen in cinematic legends Martin Scorsese & James Cameron. Rolex’s partnership with the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences promotes excellence and celebrations of progress by accompanying legends and emerging talents.
Rolex has had a longstanding history with Hollywood going back to 1926 but in 2017, two major events would cement Rolex’s longstanding association with the film industry. Martin Scorsese became the first Rolex Testimonee, joining James Cameron. That same year, the brand sealed its partnership with the film industry’s highest authority, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. Rolex was then appointed the Exclusive Watch of The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. It also became a Founding Sponsor of The Academy Museum of Motion Pictures, which will open in Los Angeles September 2021. Rolex is also the Proud Sponsor of the Oscars and Exclusive Sponsor of the Governors Awards which marks the beginning of the Oscars award season. The Governors Awards are given to the greatest names in cinema as a way of honouring their lifetime achievements.
Rolex Experience
Rolex is the official host of the Greenroom, at the Oscars’ antechamber. Nominees and presenters gather inside this lounge before and after stepping onto the stage at the Oscars ceremony, some returning with the coveted golden statuette. Each year Rolex develops a unique immersive experience and a new decor for the Oscars’ Greenroom.
Rolex testimonees – Two revolutionary filmmakers
In the Rolex Universe, two Academy Award winning directors are in their own league for their contributions to their chosen medium as well as their ability to harness a passion of innovation to capture any audience. James Cameron’s work is both ambitious and masterful. One of the most daring being 1997’s Titanic which saw Cameron descended alone to the bottom of the Mariana Trench, inside the a submersible of his own design dubbed the “Deepsea Challenger”. He created 3D models of an old luxury vessel rusting on the North Atlantic Ocean’s floor. The images were a hit with audiences around the world. Cameron once again pushed the boundaries of human, technical and artistic achievement with Avatar: The Way of Water, the sequel to 2009’s Avatar which in itself was already a technical benchmark.
Martin Scorsese, who has won multiple awards and accolades for 26 feature-length films, combines his talent to create a studio atmosphere that encourages actors to improvise. The director has worked in almost every genre of film, from period pieces to noir to musicals to thrillers. Both Rolex and Scorsese are steeped in the legacy of the greatest, driven by a perpetual quest for modernity. Scorsese’s movies are unique and sensitive explorations of the human condition. He pays tribute to filmmaking’s acclaimed auteurs while maintaining a creative dialogue with younger generations through artistic collaborations and through his involvement with the Rolex Mentor and Protégé Arts Initiative.
The Rolex Mentor And Protégé Arts Initiative
Rolex Mentor and Protégé Arts Initiative was established in 2002 to enable an exchange between different generations of talented creatives, to assist in perpetuating the world’s cultural heritage. Since then nine of the 63 mentor and protégé duos have been in film. Each protégé is a young talent whose work has been scouted widely, including at festivals or from the Oscars’ shortlist. The mentors are all filmmaking greats and include Stephen Frears, Martin Scorsese, Alejandro G. Iñárritu, Mira Nair, Walter Murch, Zhang Yimou, Alfonso Cuarón, Spike Lee and Jia Zhang-Ke. The programme covered film, theatre and visual arts between 2020 and 2022. Mentorships will be held in 2023 and 2024 for architecture, film and literature.
An Founder Supporter of The Academy Museum
Rolex, as a founding supporter of the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures reaffirms that it is committed to highlighting talent and encouraging excellence by ensuring knowledge and skills are transmitted to future generations. The museum sheds light on film’s past, present, and future by introducing visitors to the world of cinema via original exhibitions and screenings. It also offers publications, educational programs, and collections of exceptional quality. The museum exhibits a wide range of film-related objects, including a shark from Jaws, made using the original mould, and other items related to film technology and production. These include the sole surviving shark from the filming of Jaws — made from the original mould — and associated-items from Alfred Hitchcock to Bruce Lee.
How a watch informs a character
The choice of a Rolex is a creative one made by actors and directors. Rolex watches are a part of the film industry because they have a strong screen presence.
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