Campari Red Diaries tell of 'Killer in Red'

The launch of Campari Red Diaries, held in Rome, Italy recently, was a glamorous three-day affair befitting both the historic city and the premium spirits brand.

In Photo: From left: Bob Kunze-Concewitz, Clive Owen, Caroline Tillette and Paolo Sorrentino.

The event heralded the release of Campari Red Diaries - a (r)evolution of the famed Campari calendar, and the short film Killer in Red - made specifically in celebration of a never-before-seen Campari cocktail.

Campari Red Diaries brings together the stories behind 12 Campari cocktails and the bartenders from around the world who developed them. The book's theme, 'Every Cocktail has a Story', was expertly and elegantly delivered.

In photo: Director of ‘Every Cocktail tells a Story’ Ivan Olita (left)  and photographer Ale Burset on the red carpet at the premiere of ‘Killer in Red’.

Tasked with capturing the stories behind 12 cocktails from some of the world's best bartenders (including those of a ballerina, and a father-daughter duo) were emerging Italian director Ivan Olita and acclaimed Argentinian photographer Ale Burset.

In photo: From left: Clive Owen, Mia Ceran, Bob Kunze-Concewitz and Paolo Sorrentino

At a press conference on Tuesday, January 24, Campari CEO Bob Kunze-Concewitz spoke about the changes that have taken place over 17 years of producing the world-famous Campari calender. "When you are at the top of your game, you have to move out of your comfort zone."

That is exactly what the brand did by calling on the expertise of Italian Oscar award-winning director, Paolo Sorrentine, who directed Killer in Red for the global brand. The film features Hollywood heavyweight Clive Owen.

"Clive is simply one of the best actors of his time. British actors have great professionalism to their work ... . You ask a British actor for everything and they give you everything," said Sorrentino.

In photo: Director of ‘Killer in Red’ Paolo Sorrentino with French/Swiss actress Caroline Tillette.

The film was very well received by a captive audience at the premiere held at Palazzo delle Esposizioni. It was a red-carpet affair where members of the global media and influencers from around the world came together to share in the artistry of the film. Different world accents and languages made beautiful music as Campari cocktails flowed before the film's premiere.

Killer in Red revolves around Owen who plays Floyd, a notorious bartender of the 1970s and '80s who has a talent for reading his clients and serving them the perfect cocktail to match. That's how he meets the 'Lady in Red', played by French/Swiss actress Caroline Tillette. For her, he makes the never-before-seen 'Killer in Red'. How the film ends is entirely up to the audience as two lives are inextricably changed forever by a cocktail.