Fans of Sofia Coppola might associate her with one of three places—New York (where the Academy Award-winning director was born), Versailles (at its Palace, she filmed her candy-colored Marie Antoinette), or Japan (her Tokyo-set Lost in Translation captivated audiences with its beautifully told story of displacement). The latter location is at the core of her latest project, a delightfully celebratory campaign video for Roku Gin shot with her longtime muse, Elle Fanning.
“There are just those actresses and collaborators that you click with, and Elle is one for me,” Coppola told Vogue. “We share a sense of humor and taste and she has the unique thing that lights up a screen and makes you always want to watch her! Plus, she’s so nice and fun to work with.”
Clearly, the feeling is mutual. “She is an icon and dear friend,” Fanning says of Coppola. “I’m thrilled to star in her campaign vignette, which invites people to experience the best of every season.”
Suntory, the creator of Roku Gin, was founded in 1899, and still operates out of Osaka. There, Roku is distilled with a unique blend of local botanicals—sakura flower, sansho pepper, and yuzu peel among them—that celebrate the natural wonders of Japan’s changing seasons. (Coppola’s favorite memory of Japan, however, is a little more playful: “Having Christmas there when I was 8 and discovering Hello Kitty!”)
Despite being raised between California and New York, Japan has been a constant presence in Coppola’s life since she was a child. “My parents loved to bring us there, so I grew up with a love and appreciation for Japan and its culture,” she says. “My dad loved Kurosawa’s films, so I grew up seeing them, visiting film sets Kyoto temples, and Tokyo as a kid, which made a big impression. I was happy to rediscover it in my 20s, which inspired Lost in Translation, and I continue to always be excited and love going there.”
With a favorable exchange rate, traveling to Japan currently seems to be at the top of everyone’s list—something Coppola happily encourages. “I love the mix of very modern and pop, and very traditional and elegant at the same time,” she says of the country. But if a Japanese sojourn is not on the horizon, here is the next best thing: Coppola’s Roku Gin Grapefruit Spritz.
Roku Gin Grapefruit Spritz
- 1 part Roku Gin
- ½ part elderflower liqueur
- ¾ part grapefruit cordial
- ½ part lemon juice
- 2 part sparkling wine
- Garnish of grapefruit wheel or flower
- Shake ingredients with ice to infuse all the flavors.
- Pour the sparkling wine over ice in a wine glass and strain shaker into the glass.
- Garnish with grapefruit wheel.
