Gone are the days when women are fretting about turning 40. Now, 40 is a time to rediscover passions, have fun and make each day count! Raging Artists, an independent company (not affliated with Honda) recently launched a simulated 2012 Honda campaign highlighting the mantra of living life to its fullest through the prospective of a minivan driver.
This experimental video, “A Family Man is Still a Man” shows a Dad that has to get his car washed but ends up having a fun day dropping off his kids, hanging out with little people, breaking up bar fights and playing paint ball. Directed and shot by Tim Damon, the idea is that even though it may seem that this man has lost his youth, he is still a man who wants sleek styling, a roomy interior, ultra-responsive handling and safety features like anti-lock brakes, bluetooth, stability control and ultra-wide entertainment for TV watching and game watching
The video isn’t meant to glamorize the minivan or propose that it holds the key to recovering a lost youth; rather, it shows that when you live in the present, a family man can strike the right balance of fun, adventure, chaos, and cleanliness.
To view the video, please visit: www.MinivanCampaign.com.
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Appreciate the quote at the end from Honda, but this video is way too random. And it looks like my 8 year old nephew shot it on his iphone.
He may have fun with the kids, but no self-respecting family man is going to watch this video and think “wow, minivans ARE cool, i’m gonna go test drive one right now!”
Well, I think they are trying to make fatherhood look cool. Not sure if they pulled that of either. But I appreciate the efforts to do something different.
And are you sure your nephew didn’t shoot the video?
I think the video was meant to show that a man, or a father in this case, can be a loving family man and still have fun and tap into his youthful side. The video (I think) is meant to show that you shouldn’t typecast people – even if those that drive mini-van.
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I’m a father of four and I’m NOT cool. In any way. And the impression I get is that these guys aren’t trying to convince us that minivans or fatherhood are cool – I hate commercials that do that! They’re saying life after 40 doesn’t have to suck! There’s a difference. Honda didn’t do this thing, some dads did! So maybe it isn’t your 8 yr old nephew but please send him out to make a video too and let’s keep seeing honest takes on real life!
Alan,
You’re being a little hard on yourself, don’t you think? I don’t think the video is meant to should that the dad is cool, but rather, that life as a father is not all about errands (washing the car), but also about staying true to yourself.
Serena,
I can’t agree with you more about this commercial not trying to “glamorize” the minivan. What’s classic is how different each person in the video is, you go from Latina little person to preppy frat boy in the arglye sweater. They were really missing an Asian person, maybe It’s just cause I live in LA, but so many minivan drivers are Asian.
I appreciate that this is a fun take on something that if you have kids and love to tour around is a NECESSITY. I’m 40 now with kids and really, I still want to have fun!!! That’s just me! Hanging out with the kids is actually a ball. I want to play paintball with my kids and my friends. It’s the best thing EVER!!
Glad you appreciated the spirit of the movie.We can only hope moms get behind the camera next.
That’s great – and why should we stop having fun when we have kids! Sounds like you embody the ‘live life to its fullest’ mantra pretty well.
Wow, this is a great take on what Honda should consider for their next campaign. The fact that fathers put this together for the sake of fun is awesome. I’m pretty sure an iPhone and an 8 year old could not have filmed this any better. I’m a father of three. I have to say, I totally agree that this video is saying something about fatherhood that no other has said before. Yes, of course a family man is still a man! The current idea is that when a man becomes a father he loses the ability to have fun. That is ridiculous. This is obviously not about glamor or coolness. It’s about reality. If I ever get a day off I’m going straight to the driving range with my friends, trust me! Thanks for this article, I so appreciate the counter point for a change. My wife sent me the link, so I know the message is getting our there that Fathers love minivans for the fun factor as well as the utility.
First, I love your wife for sending you the link. Second, you nailed it. This is about fun not trying to make the minivan something it isn’t (um, sexy ). Hope you make it to the driving range soon.
I think you nailed it, DJ. Fun and enjoying life, which is so important to embody – even if you drive a mini-van.
See that’s what I was saying! Glad that parents still want to have some fun!