The Reel Friends' Simon Pawlik Directs Toyota's "Driving the Bond"
In Toyota’s new Camry campaign, director Simon Pawlik from The Reel Friends takes viewers on an emotional journey, showing that the Camry is more than just a car - it’s a part of life’s biggest moments. Rather than focusing on features, this film centers on the warmth and strength of the father-daughter bond, presenting the car as a trusted companion on life’s road.
“Telling a story that spans decades of a father-daughter relationship is no easy task, but the best things happen when there’s a challenge”, says Pawlik. “Casting was absolutely crucial for this one. We needed that father-daughter connection to feel real, filled with love and trust. As a dad and a bit of a car nut myself, I felt this story right down to my bones. I wanted something that speaks to everyone who sees their family as their biggest adventure.”
To bring this story to life, Pawlik collaborated with two standout cinematographers: Patryk Kin (also from The Reel Friends), who captured the Camry’s sleek, dependable presence on the road, and Monika Lenczewska, whose live-action shots beautifully reveal the everyday warmth of family moments. Together, they crafted a film that’s both cinematic and deeply relatable.
“A huge thank you to the whole team who helped bring this vision to life, and to Toyota for giving us the freedom to push emotional boundaries and create a touching film” says Anna Green the producer, T&Pm Poland. “It’s a privilege to work with a client who trusts in the creative process and supports storytelling that goes beyond the traditional.”
The Reel Friends is a talent agency built on the belief that collaboration and real connections make the best stories. TRF goes beyond representation. The founders and owners, Milena Gronau - Kozyra and Karola Kowalczyk, bring together the right talent for the right projects, keeping the process open, authentic, and full of energy. The Reel Friends aims to make all work a memorable experience. It’s all about putting out work that feels as good to create as it does to watch.
Credits:
Client: Toyota Central Europe and Toyota Motor Europe
Agency: T&Pm Poland Agnieszka Morzy – Account Director, Jakub Zielecki – Creative Director, Karol Mroziński – Copywriter, Izabela Olesińska – Designer, Anna Green – Head of Broadcast
Director: Szymon Pawlik (The Reel Friends)
DOP Rolling Footage: Patryk Kin (The Reel Friends)
DOP: Monika Lenczewska
Production company: Dynamo Film / Magda Piotrowska, Jasiek Ptak, Aleksandra Słocińska, Kuba Smokowski, Zosia Stankowska, Adam Lauk, Piotr Handzio Handke, Olek Ziarkowski, Tomek Soczewiński
Production designer: Paweł Dąbrowski
Make up Artist: Mirella Zawiszewska
Costume Designer: Maria Górska
Casting: Magda Daniel
1st AD: Igor Daniel, Bartosz Jarzębski
U-Crane: Motion Unit
Postproduction: Coloroffon Film
Editor: Kuba Tomaszewicz
Grading: Piotr Sasim
Sound designers: Jakub Pietrzak (Juice), Kuba Tomaszewicz
Song: Love You – Praers
Music supervision: Massive Music Warsaw
