Keanu Reeves and ex Sofia Coppola reveal new collaboration

Keanu Reeves and Sofia Coppola have partnered together to release a special project together.

The Japanese whisky brand The House of Suntory is celebrating its 100th anniversary, and to celebrate, Sofia Coppola and Keanu Reeves created a short film recognizing the whisky brand’s hundred-year-long impact in the world of whiskey.

Coppola previously worked in Japan to direct ‘Lost in Translation’ in 2003, starring Bob Murray as an actor working on a commercial for Suntory, and Scarlett Johansson as a guest at the hotel he’s staying at, with whom he begins a brief romance.

Throughout the movie, the Suntory tagline “For relaxing times, make it Suntory Time,” is repeated.

Reeves himself also appeared in a Suntory ad in the 1990s.

Reeves on reuniting with Coppola

Back in the 90s, Reeves and Coppola also briefly dated, after meeting on the set of ‘Bram Stoker’s Dracula’, directed by Coppola’s father Francis Ford Coppola, with Reeves playing Jonathan Harker.

“It was cool [to get] a chance to work with Sofia Coppola and to work with [her brother] Roman Coppola on a kind of short commercial and then a docu-series,” Reeves told People. “It was a really special opportunity.”

Reeves spoke about the opportunity to shoot the celebratory short film in Japan, saying “It was wonderful, really wonderful.”

He added, “It was extraordinary to have the opportunity to spend time with people from Suntory, in terms of going to the founding distillery Yamazaki, then going and just meeting master blenders and all the craftspeople.

“I got to meet some of the artisans, Kabuki actors, calligraphists, being an outsider and getting to spend time with people and talk about their passion and their craft.”

In a press release, Reeves spoke further about his admiration for Suntory whisky, particularly the “elevated Japanese craftsmanship, and attention to every detail that makes Suntory Whisky so special.

“As an actor honing and perfecting my own craft, sharing this process in a docuseries is a thrill.”

Where to watch the ‘Suntory Whisky 100th Anniversary Tribute by Sofia Coppola’

The short film made its debut at the House of Suntory’s anniversary event in New York on Tuesday, May 23, and can now be viewed online.

“As the pioneer of Japanese whisky, the House of Suntory played a significant role in shaping culture and leading craftsmanship in Japan over the last century,” said the House of Suntory’s managing director Jon Potter.

“To mark this historic milestone, partnering with Sofia and Keanu, who are Suntory Whisky fans, makes perfect sense.

“From our Fifth Generation Chief Blender Shinji Fukuyo’s striking blends to Sofia and Keanu’s unique cinematic creations, this commemoration has surpassed all expectations to celebrate our iconic Japanese whiskies.”