I any body bothers to go do a few moments of research you'll find out that Levi's is a privately owned company that is on the forefront of sustainable clothing and labor practices. This commercial isn't an attempt to sell jeans anymore than it's an attempt to start a revolution. Perhaps it is a bit of both but their personal and political views are on parade here. Levi's, a jean company, has to be the one to stand here and start the revolution...How sad.
@Polystyrene11 Hmmm, ok. What political views did this commercial show then? 'Revolution'? Please elaborate. It is just an ad to sell jeans. The commercial is a series of unrelated images with some poetry thrown over the top. Please get over yourself you over-indulged speck in the universe.
Levi's have always been heralded as having excellent working and pay conditions in a country dominated by outsourcing. They invented and popularised blue denim jeans and their stone washed cousin which has left an indelible stamp as an icon on the american frontier. To state that the poem doesn't reflect the iconoclasm and american spirit of the company demonstrates an ignorance on the part of critics of this advertisement.
So a corporate machine is telling me that they are on my side of the revolution? That I should spend $100 dollars on a pair of jeans that cost $5 dollars to make by some kid that is starving since he has no representation by unionized labor??
um ok.. sure.. this is making a mockery of the actual young socialism movement.
Hey Levi's how about making my 527s IN AMERICA so you don't look like such a hypocritical douchebag. OH WAIT... by "Go Forth" you meant to other nations with cheaper labor. Now I get it.
The top rated comments are defending this? Whitman's poem was a hopeful declaration of the American spirit; transcendentally just and equal, deliberate and incessant. But here we have that reduced to a pair of jeans. Is this some genius speaking through satire or has consumerism become this crass? The American dream of independence and self-actualization has become a pair of over-priced jeans.
@newwind07 I think it is both 'yes' when you ask that it is both satire and that consumerism has become crass. The answer is already give because of the apparent sincere appreciation for such blatant ideological pornography. It is sad to see that so many people have actually given up on real ideals and think that second best is to buy products connoted with these ideals.
because of government collaboration with universities and private comapanies, we have the most advanced technologies in agriculture and defense...which is why the companies that relate to these to sectors, are virtually untouchable by foreign competition.
@MrBladeCrash the initial production of agriculture products is subsidized because agriculture; wheat, corn, etc. is vital to national security...but the comapanies that benefit from these subsidies range from general mills, to post, and kraft, etc...these are the spinn off affects of "government intervention" in this sector of the economy. 3 million people, or 1% of usa pop. can feed over 2 billion poeple around the world b/c of this collaboration...
@MrBladeCrash the initial production of agriculture products is subsidized because agriculture; wheat, corn, etc. is vital to national security...but the comapanies that benefit from these subsidies range from general mills, to post, and kraft, etc...these are the spinn off affects of "government intervention" in this sector of the economy. 3 million people, or 1% of usa pop. can feed over 2 billion poeple around the world b/c of this collaboration...
fuck all all this noise. this ad is the most genuine badass endorsement of a badass product i have ever seen. walt would have been proud to see his work put to such good use. also, i LOVE levi's
but... at the end how is levis gonna make me be an american equal? are those magic pants? i m not an artist, poet or anything similar but it makes me feel bad to see poetry turned in to an argument to be cool and to make more profits.
@cualkiera80 I see your point but by selling the jeans on the idea that people that wear them are equal, tolerant strong and passionate the people who do buy them a part of them will believe that they are also that kind of person and become more equal, tolerant, strong and passionate without realizing it. Does it matter if they make money from it? People are going to buy some jeans anyhow and this way people are left feeling better and maybe even being treated better
I hate this comercial. What is this, poetry night ? or college art ? There suppose to sell jeans here. Jeans are put on to conceal our underwear. Everything is bound up in current events or pop culture frothed with a subliminal messages. Just tell me why I should buy pairs of jeans. That's it. I know America is great, but please don't show it in a jeans comercial. It just cheapens America. If you want to comment positively or negatively, please respond.
This commercial isn't about nostalgia, or what America was. Its about what America has become, we are not Europe, we're equally intellectual, and equally free, but we are not the same. It made me proud to be a part of this generation.
You guys are over thinking these ads whether they sell clothes or not they are inspirational & what they are saying is that they are an all American brand. It is the most well known denim brand here in the USA, stop over thinking it's a waste of time.
i see a lot of comments talking about this ad... it is not impressive as the words do not stay with u... for all teh work that went into it... it still does not lure me to the brand
there is such thing as consensus, it is possible. we as americans have to realize this before we self-destruct, our enemy is ouselves. the people, the government, themilitary, and our corporations can work together as a front. and in this day and age, we will have to. others like germany, japan, have done this for years, and now china is doing the same, while we bicker with ourselves. the interests of all these factions are interelated,the sonner we realize this the better four our country.
@detroitmetro101 Yeah, because fascism really works. The government needs to stay the fuck out of our lives and out of businesses. The fact that you live in Detroit and want the government to have ANY hand in business, tells me that you're either blind or stupid. Look what that mentality has done to your city. It's a wasteland now.
@Supermassively you are out of your mind to think that government has no role to play in the economics of the country. weather its protecting consumers, or incentivizing certian industries that are vital to the country. look at the two most productive/competative industries in the usa today, agriculture and industrial defense, in both cases the government play a supervisory role, and in both cases we the usa are the most productive and competative...
@Supermassively again you didnt respond in any substantive manner. detroit was not destroyed by unions, it was destroyed by suburbs, which in fact are doing pretty well. the gdp of the detroit metropolitan area is equal to that of torontos metropolitan area...so again, when you have a substantive argument, then you can debate "facts"...
The "you are special" message is kind of lost when you use models in your ads and want to sell people clothing based on the proposition that they're better with it on, thus implying that they're worthless if they don't wear -your- brand.
That's the nature of fashion, style, and your industry, Levi. Don't even bother lying.
@MintySinty that's absurd. The whole message is about freedom, and they aren't even mentioning the clothing. There is nothing implied in these ads that people are 'worthless' if they don't wear their brand. The only one who's said that is you. That's the problem: all these absurd ideas get projected onto this piece of art, simply because it's also a commercial. If we can get past our own self-loathing, then we can step into the kind of freedom which these poems are talking about. It's important.
@oneversusnone But the reason they made a moving commercial is to sell clothes, not to actually inspire anyone! I imagine someone at just about any company in existence has been dying to do an ad like this one, but was only approved of it when the suits realized it was a) in fashion to have "inspirational" ads and b) it would help them sell their product. Remember the Dove Real Beauty campaign? Remember how that fell apart?
@MintySinty you have to be able to separate yourself from all of that, though. You ARE a free human, and that means you don't have to buy Levi's anything. Who cares if they think it's a good marketing campaign, it probably is. The point is that they're encouraging you to live your life the way it SHOULD be lived, freely. Even though they may think they're just marketing something, they're doing more than that. The more popular it becomes for corporations to treat humans like humans, the better.
How interesting that, not only are the two highest rated comments on opposite ends of the critique, but so is pretty much every other pair. The "Go Forth" series represents cooperation and creativity BECAUSE it was made for a large company. They have creative design TEAMS. They have people with different stories, who make a living on the things that inspire people, and they collectively decided that this was what we should see. There are people behind your jeans, too.
I don't understand why people are freaking out over this commercial? Chill.
This commercial is fucking amazing, as are all the other Go Forth commercials. They are pure poetry.. and the montage is beautiful.Who cares if its jeans? Would you prefer to see a fucking cat playing a piano wearing Levis? As sad as this is, im sure all the people who have made those negative comments would. People are getting so damn pathetic. :/
@puppypaws719 No doubt that it's very well done and the visuals and poem are amazing. It's just that associating 'Freedom and love' with designer jeans is what is absurd. I don't know what kind of existentialist thinker with the visuals and who connects with Walt Whiteman's words is going to think 'My, that was beautiful. Hmmm, I sure could use a pair of branded jeans'. Also, I think a cat wearing Levis playing a piano would actually be pretty hilarious, great and equally absurd.
@Jamesmhar i would rather have our society advertise their products through true beauty and poetry than the commercials that try to be funny but get old by the third time you watch it. it's like we don't have to try anymore, everything is so simply put together with little to no thought. And then something that is actually interesting shows up and gets heavily criticized, because its different. At least there's something true about this commercial.
DON'T READ THIS CAUSE IT ACTUALLY WORKS YOU WILL BE KISSED ON THE NEAREST POSSIBLE FRIDAY BY THE LOVE OF YOUR LIFE. TOMORROW WILL BE THE BEST DAY OF YOUR LIFE. HOWEVER IF YOU DON'T POST THIS TO AT LEAST THREE VIDEOS OR YOU WILL DIE WITHIN TWO DAYS. NOW UV STARTED READING THIS DON'T STOP THIS IS SO SCARY PUT THIS ON AT LEAST FIVE VIDEOS IN 143 MINUTES WHEN YOUR DONE PRESS F6 AND YOUR LOVER NAME WILL APPEAR ON THE SCREEN IN THE BIG LETTERS THIS IS SO SCARE CAUSE IT ACTUALLY WORKS
@GoliathWarfare Well their support of a nation wide gun ban does it for me. Haven't bought a single pair of Levi's since i saw that crap. Sorry I don't support companies who want to violate the most important right Americans have.
@LcplMartin1986 : Even though I agree that Levi's Strauss Co. overstepped its bounds by supporting a nationwide anti-gun law, I don't feel that owning or porting arms is the most important right Americans have. I'm sorry. The most important right that I believe all Americans have is Freedom of Speech. Without Freedom of Speech, I wouldn't be able to voice my opinion in a free forum such as You Tube and neither would you. Now the right to keep and bare arms would be second or third in my book.
@Lunatic4Bizcas "Firearms are second only to the Constitution in importance; they are the peoples' liberty's teeth." Washington. The second amendment is there to make sure that all the others are honored. Would you rather have free speech or a gun? I chose gun. Why? Because I have a gun and now I can say what ever the hell I want (humor)
@Lunatic4Bizcas Have fun defending your freedom of speech or any of your other rights without a gun. The Founding Fathers realized that the right to bear arms was most important, because without the right to defend your other rights, any freedom you have is fleeting and vulnerable. Just look at Europe. They've had what - a dozen dictators in the last century, and now their rights are meaningless in their nanny state? We got rid of our last one WITH GUNS before the country was even founded.
I say fuck it who cares if it's a levi's commercial. I mean, this is art, and it's done pretty well. A lot of cool film noir and indie stuff mixing here. I like the radio broadcast or recording, an original Walt Whitman I think. It's cool, it's got some cool imagery, and as far as commercials go, I'm glad this is one. At least it's not like an ad for Quiznos Kittens or Five Hour Energy.
This comment has received too many negative votesshow
I cant stand these new Levi commercials. When the white chick kissed her monkey, that was it for me. I threw away my Levis and I will never buy another pair.
God damn. why does such a shitty jean brand have to make such cool fucking advertisements. It makes me feel like I want to buy them and I don't even liike them.
@jorgefranzle Yes, nationally they did not have the right to vote, however, it was a disputed topic. Some states in the West allowed women to vote in elections. I like to think Whitman was making a statement in support of women's suffrage by referencing "equal daughters" when he could have just as easily said "equal men."
Levi's should should apply their hypocritical "go forth" slogan to themselves, by "going forth" and bringing their production plants back to the U.S. and stop acting like they care about our country.
This is a pure mockery of Whitman’s aspirations towards a truly democratic nation. I have difficulty imagining a more cynical act than profiting off the desire for a free and equal society in order to build the brand image of a multinational corporation.
This was a recording from a man by the name of Walt Whitman. I dont think he would have agreed his words to align with the promotion of a jeans brand. but idk.
Jesus. Nothing like a bunch of pseudo political idiots on youtube to argue about something they couldn't hold a five minute conversion over, let alone a debate.
Yes; it's a commercial. Yes; the goal is to sell a product. But this is a beautiful and artistic work of a film-making by a wonderfully talented young filmmaker named Cary Fukunaga who I'm sure most of you idiots have never heard of. Watch Sin Nombre, which won a ton of acclaim at Sundance, including Best Director.
@shadyfella09 Then you will also know about Mr. Malick, who for the second time in Levi's ads is being ripped off. He used this piece by Ives in the Thin Red Line, and even had the gun shot in his clip. He is known for steady cam and the cramming of montage imagery. I like these commercials for their style (John Hillcoat copied his style to a T in the work ad) but they are clearly ripping off Malick's style. Too bad they can't pay homage and make a statement about it, which would make it fine.
@ThaddeusMarcum It's a bit of a stretch to call it a copy of The Thin Red Line due to the music. If you go down that path, prepare yourself for the realization that nothing is original (which I don't believe).
I'd also disagree about the piece's style being ripped off. First of all, everything in this commercial is handheld apart from one or two shots. Second, I wouldn't say Malick is at all into montage. You've got your nature montage every now and then, but like this? Nope.
@shadyfella09 No disrespect intended, but have you seen Thin Red Line? Watch is again, because you will notice plenty of montage. This is a great commercial, but it clearly has its roots in Malick's style, just like the Hillcoat commercial.
@ThaddeusMarcum I think you're letting the connection with the music get to your head. I'm a huge fan of Malick and I never really got that vibe from the commercial. Now if the commercial had lots of flowing camerawork, nature shots, and internal philosophical monologue, I might change my mind.
If anything, everyone should respect the piece for trying to tell an interesting story about modern American society. Lose the Levi's logo and you have a story about the nature of wealth in America.
I love how this is a Levi's commercial about some damn jeans and you have countless comments on here from people who obviously have a problem with America. I guess American's aren't allowed to wear Levi's or like this commercial? lol. Come on people that is why the world is so messed up. Hate and haters, from every continent.
The fuck? Why are there so many arguments about race and consumerism and shit? Stop being racist, pretentious, self-righteous assholes.
I don't give a shit if Levi's or fucking Wal-Mart made a commercial like this; it's art, and just because they put a Levi's logo on the end doesn't detract from it. People need to get over themselves.
falcon pierce think a little deeper. The images in the commercial are american ideals and american values. The commercial is making us believe that levi's jeans are part of american culture and american values.
@saveferris199 the only problem is that, except for the last 3 seconds, levis is not mentioned or explicitly shown once and many people find it difficult to tell who made the commercial under those curmstances.
@pimpmobile1 that's the point, Through the whole commercial the viewer is building up this "American" feeling with images and words that describe a very classic, hardworking, and historic America. Then when you see levi's at the end, it creates the association between those american Ideals discussed in Whitman's poem and Levi's jeans. Thus you want to buy the jeans because you want to embody those ideals
@Supermassively the same thing we do for those two industries, china, japan, and germany do for their car companies, hightech companies, energy companies, etc...thats why we cant compete in those markets. take honda for example, 40% is owned by the japanese government, and the japanese have no problem with that because its profitable and competative. look at the history of pre/post WWII, where the government, companies, and universities worked together, from 1941-1970...
@Supermassively ...this is when the internet was created, this is when the atomic bomb was created, this is when we send men to the moon... and look at all the companies that spun of of this era. without this colaberation, you would not have apple, google, or any other internet company we know of today. you say you work for intel, well read a little bit about intels history, and youll find that intel along with universities and the government worked in comp.tech. at this time as well
@Supermassively people like you who do not want any government involvement in economics, should ironically take a trip to russia, i hear that has become thier economic model over the years....just dont fly a russian plane or a russian airliner......lol.....dumbasss
I'm almost 100% positive Cary Fukunaga was set on creating a piece of beautiful art and then after he was done he said something along the lines of "Shit, I forgot I was making a commercial...guess I'll just slap this on the end."
Because first and foremost, I see this a a piece of cinematic beauty.
I'm currently doing assignment abt LEVI's ....i'm totally in LOVE doing it nw!!! THis is a really good advertisement...brings the message of Levi's being the creator of JEANS and which, the Americans wear it after the WAR for the celebration of FREEDOM :)
@TheUmmwhatever Levis Jeans are one of the most quintessentially American things there are. Literally for decades Jeans were crazy expensive in the Soviet Bloc and the countries it became when the wall fell. They're as American as Apple Pie, Baseball and Coca Cola. love it or hate it America is a place of commerce.
@almostunimportant Very well said. Levis were the first blue jeans that were ever invented, orginating in America and dating back to the Gold Rush in 1853. Jeans are, indeed, as American as Apple Pie.
This is amazing. Whitman is one of my heroes, THE poet laureate of America, for all ages. His poetry captured the American spirit. I never knew that a recording of his voice existed...truly a treasure.
@crazyjorge2111 well, it's hard to translate sarcasm online. disappointment was my initial reaction as opposed to being offended. whether you are a self admitted racist or not is besides the point. I'm glad one more human being is choosing to go down the right path.
remember the times when people actually enjoyed the videos not questioning them all the time?
matze011194 9 hours ago
remember when levi's were made in america?
latinsizer 1 week ago
love this commercial and levis....now if theyd only lower their prices -__-
nixonman619 1 week ago
Don't stop. I know it's a Levi's commercial but it seems more than that. Don't stop.
denniandrew2002 1 month ago
50 seconds
Zionists don't quit
juizdelinha 1 month ago
I any body bothers to go do a few moments of research you'll find out that Levi's is a privately owned company that is on the forefront of sustainable clothing and labor practices. This commercial isn't an attempt to sell jeans anymore than it's an attempt to start a revolution. Perhaps it is a bit of both but their personal and political views are on parade here. Levi's, a jean company, has to be the one to stand here and start the revolution...How sad.
Polystyrene11 3 months ago
@Polystyrene11 Hmmm, ok. What political views did this commercial show then? 'Revolution'? Please elaborate. It is just an ad to sell jeans. The commercial is a series of unrelated images with some poetry thrown over the top. Please get over yourself you over-indulged speck in the universe.
HarlanPhilly 2 months ago
The problem is that I now have the urge to salute a pair of denim.
GiantPetRat 3 months ago 2
Words cannnot explain HOW illuminati this commercial is !
ATLhometownATL 3 months ago
Levi's have always been heralded as having excellent working and pay conditions in a country dominated by outsourcing. They invented and popularised blue denim jeans and their stone washed cousin which has left an indelible stamp as an icon on the american frontier. To state that the poem doesn't reflect the iconoclasm and american spirit of the company demonstrates an ignorance on the part of critics of this advertisement.
SuperSimondw 3 months ago
too many blackpeople in commercial..thats why.
jandean61 4 months ago
So a corporate machine is telling me that they are on my side of the revolution? That I should spend $100 dollars on a pair of jeans that cost $5 dollars to make by some kid that is starving since he has no representation by unionized labor??
um ok.. sure.. this is making a mockery of the actual young socialism movement.
My size is 31 - 32. ThanksKbye
01MGMT 4 months ago
Hey Levi's how about making my 527s IN AMERICA so you don't look like such a hypocritical douchebag. OH WAIT... by "Go Forth" you meant to other nations with cheaper labor. Now I get it.
mebemike 4 months ago 9
The top rated comments are defending this? Whitman's poem was a hopeful declaration of the American spirit; transcendentally just and equal, deliberate and incessant. But here we have that reduced to a pair of jeans. Is this some genius speaking through satire or has consumerism become this crass? The American dream of independence and self-actualization has become a pair of over-priced jeans.
newwind07 4 months ago 4
@newwind07 I think it is both 'yes' when you ask that it is both satire and that consumerism has become crass. The answer is already give because of the apparent sincere appreciation for such blatant ideological pornography. It is sad to see that so many people have actually given up on real ideals and think that second best is to buy products connoted with these ideals.
Bramboterhamm 3 months ago
Is this Bukowski? I think I've heard/read it somewhere.
Mysteryskatin 4 months ago
Public risk for private profit=subsidy..
dogdoom 4 months ago
This is cool..Back when the measure of a mans wealth was his Intelligence
dogdoom 4 months ago
because of government collaboration with universities and private comapanies, we have the most advanced technologies in agriculture and defense...which is why the companies that relate to these to sectors, are virtually untouchable by foreign competition.
detroitmetro101 4 months ago
This has been flagged as spam show
@MrBladeCrash the initial production of agriculture products is subsidized because agriculture; wheat, corn, etc. is vital to national security...but the comapanies that benefit from these subsidies range from general mills, to post, and kraft, etc...these are the spinn off affects of "government intervention" in this sector of the economy. 3 million people, or 1% of usa pop. can feed over 2 billion poeple around the world b/c of this collaboration...
detroitmetro101 4 months ago
@MrBladeCrash the initial production of agriculture products is subsidized because agriculture; wheat, corn, etc. is vital to national security...but the comapanies that benefit from these subsidies range from general mills, to post, and kraft, etc...these are the spinn off affects of "government intervention" in this sector of the economy. 3 million people, or 1% of usa pop. can feed over 2 billion poeple around the world b/c of this collaboration...
detroitmetro101 4 months ago
Jonsi & Alex <3
mnhypercam 4 months ago
fuck all all this noise. this ad is the most genuine badass endorsement of a badass product i have ever seen. walt would have been proud to see his work put to such good use. also, i LOVE levi's
drjoshuab11 4 months ago
but... at the end how is levis gonna make me be an american equal? are those magic pants? i m not an artist, poet or anything similar but it makes me feel bad to see poetry turned in to an argument to be cool and to make more profits.
cualkiera80 4 months ago
@cualkiera80 I see your point but by selling the jeans on the idea that people that wear them are equal, tolerant strong and passionate the people who do buy them a part of them will believe that they are also that kind of person and become more equal, tolerant, strong and passionate without realizing it. Does it matter if they make money from it? People are going to buy some jeans anyhow and this way people are left feeling better and maybe even being treated better
TernolHK 4 months ago
I hate this comercial. What is this, poetry night ? or college art ? There suppose to sell jeans here. Jeans are put on to conceal our underwear. Everything is bound up in current events or pop culture frothed with a subliminal messages. Just tell me why I should buy pairs of jeans. That's it. I know America is great, but please don't show it in a jeans comercial. It just cheapens America. If you want to comment positively or negatively, please respond.
SuperRip7 4 months ago
Comment removed
SuperRip7 4 months ago
This commercial isn't about nostalgia, or what America was. Its about what America has become, we are not Europe, we're equally intellectual, and equally free, but we are not the same. It made me proud to be a part of this generation.
idkyajushrulz 4 months ago
Should I now want to kiss and love a black man? Maybe spread some black jeans, genes, whatever?
brianwesley28 4 months ago
Walt Whitman=AWESOME!
michealdark 4 months ago
@oneversusnone agreed. You are brilliant
BobertTheTurtle 5 months ago
You guys are over thinking these ads whether they sell clothes or not they are inspirational & what they are saying is that they are an all American brand. It is the most well known denim brand here in the USA, stop over thinking it's a waste of time.
BobertTheTurtle 5 months ago
This is Dada.
theromanus 5 months ago
i see a lot of comments talking about this ad... it is not impressive as the words do not stay with u... for all teh work that went into it... it still does not lure me to the brand
neerajmadhavan 5 months ago
there is such thing as consensus, it is possible. we as americans have to realize this before we self-destruct, our enemy is ouselves. the people, the government, themilitary, and our corporations can work together as a front. and in this day and age, we will have to. others like germany, japan, have done this for years, and now china is doing the same, while we bicker with ourselves. the interests of all these factions are interelated,the sonner we realize this the better four our country.
detroitmetro101 5 months ago
@detroitmetro101 Yeah, because fascism really works. The government needs to stay the fuck out of our lives and out of businesses. The fact that you live in Detroit and want the government to have ANY hand in business, tells me that you're either blind or stupid. Look what that mentality has done to your city. It's a wasteland now.
Supermassively 4 months ago
@detroitmetro101 You live in Detroit and actually think that government involvement in business is a good idea? Are you blind or just stupid?
Supermassively 4 months ago
@Supermassively you are out of your mind to think that government has no role to play in the economics of the country. weather its protecting consumers, or incentivizing certian industries that are vital to the country. look at the two most productive/competative industries in the usa today, agriculture and industrial defense, in both cases the government play a supervisory role, and in both cases we the usa are the most productive and competative...
detroitmetro101 4 months ago
Comment removed
detroitmetro101 4 months ago
@detroitmetro101 lol, deleted comment.
Supermassively 4 months ago
@Supermassively again you didnt respond in any substantive manner. detroit was not destroyed by unions, it was destroyed by suburbs, which in fact are doing pretty well. the gdp of the detroit metropolitan area is equal to that of torontos metropolitan area...so again, when you have a substantive argument, then you can debate "facts"...
detroitmetro101 4 months ago
dumbest fucking commercial ever. your glorifying anarchy? the fuck? beat the gods through death? bitch with what? a pair a jeans?
TikiShootah 5 months ago
The "you are special" message is kind of lost when you use models in your ads and want to sell people clothing based on the proposition that they're better with it on, thus implying that they're worthless if they don't wear -your- brand.
That's the nature of fashion, style, and your industry, Levi. Don't even bother lying.
MintySinty 5 months ago 2
@MintySinty that's absurd. The whole message is about freedom, and they aren't even mentioning the clothing. There is nothing implied in these ads that people are 'worthless' if they don't wear their brand. The only one who's said that is you. That's the problem: all these absurd ideas get projected onto this piece of art, simply because it's also a commercial. If we can get past our own self-loathing, then we can step into the kind of freedom which these poems are talking about. It's important.
oneversusnone 5 months ago
@oneversusnone But the reason they made a moving commercial is to sell clothes, not to actually inspire anyone! I imagine someone at just about any company in existence has been dying to do an ad like this one, but was only approved of it when the suits realized it was a) in fashion to have "inspirational" ads and b) it would help them sell their product. Remember the Dove Real Beauty campaign? Remember how that fell apart?
MintySinty 5 months ago
@MintySinty you have to be able to separate yourself from all of that, though. You ARE a free human, and that means you don't have to buy Levi's anything. Who cares if they think it's a good marketing campaign, it probably is. The point is that they're encouraging you to live your life the way it SHOULD be lived, freely. Even though they may think they're just marketing something, they're doing more than that. The more popular it becomes for corporations to treat humans like humans, the better.
oneversusnone 5 months ago
I hate this commercial!!
sssinger65 5 months ago
How interesting that, not only are the two highest rated comments on opposite ends of the critique, but so is pretty much every other pair. The "Go Forth" series represents cooperation and creativity BECAUSE it was made for a large company. They have creative design TEAMS. They have people with different stories, who make a living on the things that inspire people, and they collectively decided that this was what we should see. There are people behind your jeans, too.
1maz11 5 months ago 2
Oh, please fuck off, Wieden & Kennedy & you too Levis.
What the pair of you know about art & poetry & life wouldn't fill the pocket of one of those sweatshop-made jeans.
Fuck off with your pretentious editing.
Fuck off with your fake democratic spirit.
Fuck off with your profiting on images of the poor.
Fuck off with your hipster self-admiration.
Fuck off with your outsourced labor.
Do fuck off: we hate you.
v1m 5 months ago 3
Funny cats
Gespino9 5 months ago
I don't understand why people are freaking out over this commercial? Chill.
This commercial is fucking amazing, as are all the other Go Forth commercials. They are pure poetry.. and the montage is beautiful.Who cares if its jeans? Would you prefer to see a fucking cat playing a piano wearing Levis? As sad as this is, im sure all the people who have made those negative comments would. People are getting so damn pathetic. :/
puppypaws719 5 months ago 52
Comment removed
Supermassively 4 months ago
@Supermassively lmao your comment got removed. nice try bro.
puppypaws719 4 months ago
@puppypaws719 No doubt that it's very well done and the visuals and poem are amazing. It's just that associating 'Freedom and love' with designer jeans is what is absurd. I don't know what kind of existentialist thinker with the visuals and who connects with Walt Whiteman's words is going to think 'My, that was beautiful. Hmmm, I sure could use a pair of branded jeans'. Also, I think a cat wearing Levis playing a piano would actually be pretty hilarious, great and equally absurd.
Jamesmhar 1 month ago
@Jamesmhar i would rather have our society advertise their products through true beauty and poetry than the commercials that try to be funny but get old by the third time you watch it. it's like we don't have to try anymore, everything is so simply put together with little to no thought. And then something that is actually interesting shows up and gets heavily criticized, because its different. At least there's something true about this commercial.
puppypaws719 1 month ago
@a7m47
Bro, multinational corporations are what made America so badass.
MatthewBakke 5 months ago
The poem is Laughing heart from Charles Bukowsky.
volvidejapon 5 months ago
@volvidejapon ha... no its not?? wtf??? thats the other one.. nice try, bro (;
puppypaws719 5 months ago
@volvidejapon Sorry Brainiac, it's "America" by Walt Whitman
emmers57 5 months ago
Holy shit this has got to be the most retarted commerical I've ever seen. Go Forth? ITS FUCKING JEANS.
NeededBabyCakez 5 months ago
It's not the meaning of the life, it's fuckin' jeans. Calm down.
Zegeebwah 5 months ago
how do arguments emerge from a video with such a positive message
infamousdelinquent 5 months ago 3
This has been flagged as spam show
What does this have to do with jeans?
Thirtiesguy 5 months ago
THIS IS FUCKING STUPID!!
TheBoywith25Names 6 months ago
Tree of Life by terrence mallick is the greatest levi's commercial.
guanaesantonio 6 months ago
I learned nothing about jeans except the fact that you should probably not wear a shirt with them.
I was also reminded how much I love Whitman. I think it's a better commercial for Walt Whitman or poetry in general than Levi's.
DontcallmeFrenchy 7 months ago 2
interracial! yes!
miniyanzi 7 months ago
Levis should be made in America
TheBrokenTelescope 7 months ago 3
i love the feeling this commercial evokes, the youth and the beauty.
carlycherrybomb 8 months ago
something about wearing levis with a brown belt on a train going to NY makes me feel good
thepolodon21 8 months ago 3
Isn't this actually Walt Whitman reading his poem?
XxthexgardenxX 8 months ago
@XxthexgardenxX yes it is.
zoetienn 8 months ago
This has been flagged as spam show
DON'T READ THIS CAUSE IT ACTUALLY WORKS YOU WILL BE KISSED ON THE NEAREST POSSIBLE FRIDAY BY THE LOVE OF YOUR LIFE. TOMORROW WILL BE THE BEST DAY OF YOUR LIFE. HOWEVER IF YOU DON'T POST THIS TO AT LEAST THREE VIDEOS OR YOU WILL DIE WITHIN TWO DAYS. NOW UV STARTED READING THIS DON'T STOP THIS IS SO SCARY PUT THIS ON AT LEAST FIVE VIDEOS IN 143 MINUTES WHEN YOUR DONE PRESS F6 AND YOUR LOVER NAME WILL APPEAR ON THE SCREEN IN THE BIG LETTERS THIS IS SO SCARE CAUSE IT ACTUALLY WORKS
winceeremita 8 months ago
Walt Whitman is boss.
nicolevm 9 months ago 3
There's no money in poetry, but then there's no poetry in money, either.
-Robert Graves
twili67 9 months ago 2
Canada has all that stuff too.. o.o
ColourfulC00kies 9 months ago
these commercials seem like such a huge waste of talent and ingenuity.
Alexandrophile 9 months ago 2
I hate levi's but this has got to be my most FAVOURITE commercial of all time.
BenjiKattt 10 months ago
@BenjiKattt How do you just randomly hate levi's? I mean, what exactly did they do to you to make you hate them. Just wondering...
GoliathWarfare 9 months ago 2
@GoliathWarfare Well their support of a nation wide gun ban does it for me. Haven't bought a single pair of Levi's since i saw that crap. Sorry I don't support companies who want to violate the most important right Americans have.
LcplMartin1986 9 months ago
@LcplMartin1986 : Even though I agree that Levi's Strauss Co. overstepped its bounds by supporting a nationwide anti-gun law, I don't feel that owning or porting arms is the most important right Americans have. I'm sorry. The most important right that I believe all Americans have is Freedom of Speech. Without Freedom of Speech, I wouldn't be able to voice my opinion in a free forum such as You Tube and neither would you. Now the right to keep and bare arms would be second or third in my book.
Lunatic4Bizcas 7 months ago
@Lunatic4Bizcas "Firearms are second only to the Constitution in importance; they are the peoples' liberty's teeth." Washington. The second amendment is there to make sure that all the others are honored. Would you rather have free speech or a gun? I chose gun. Why? Because I have a gun and now I can say what ever the hell I want (humor)
LcplMartin1986 7 months ago
@Lunatic4Bizcas Have fun defending your freedom of speech or any of your other rights without a gun. The Founding Fathers realized that the right to bear arms was most important, because without the right to defend your other rights, any freedom you have is fleeting and vulnerable. Just look at Europe. They've had what - a dozen dictators in the last century, and now their rights are meaningless in their nanny state? We got rid of our last one WITH GUNS before the country was even founded.
Supermassively 4 months ago
@GoliathWarfare They supported a national gun ban. If that isn't enough, then you need to get your priorities straight.
Supermassively 4 months ago
I've been unfortunate to see some terrible commercials and now this one has been added to the list.
Ultratron100 10 months ago
@Ultratron100 What's so bad about it, honestly? I see nothing wrong with it.
GoliathWarfare 9 months ago
I say fuck it who cares if it's a levi's commercial. I mean, this is art, and it's done pretty well. A lot of cool film noir and indie stuff mixing here. I like the radio broadcast or recording, an original Walt Whitman I think. It's cool, it's got some cool imagery, and as far as commercials go, I'm glad this is one. At least it's not like an ad for Quiznos Kittens or Five Hour Energy.
jerichoduke 10 months ago 88
@jerichoduke Because true art is incomprehensible right?
isaacthegrape 6 months ago
@isaacthegrape Because true art solidifies the abstracts of the subconscious. This is the American Youth's subconscious.
jerichoduke 6 months ago
@jerichoduke That is a very narrow definiftion of "true art". But certanly relatable to this context.
isaacthegrape 6 months ago
@jerichoduke If this shit is art, then I'm going to take a dump on a piece of canvas and sell it to a museum.
Supermassively 4 months ago
@hidethisnine you gonna burn in hell.
kazlame 10 months ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
I cant stand these new Levi commercials. When the white chick kissed her monkey, that was it for me. I threw away my Levis and I will never buy another pair.
hidethisnine 11 months ago
@hidethisnine You're disgusting.
heroesofhers 11 months ago
@hidethisnine Hahaha, you win, sir.
Supermassively 4 months ago
my last name is goforth :D
DGoforth380 11 months ago 3
this commercial is terrible, and pretentious. i hate anyone who likes it.
grundian 11 months ago
@grundian we hate you too
galamexa789 9 months ago
God damn. why does such a shitty jean brand have to make such cool fucking advertisements. It makes me feel like I want to buy them and I don't even liike them.
KaitlynHooligun 1 year ago
hard to believe an invention from back in the gold rush days is still around!
Chucoishighoncoke 1 year ago
@Chucoishighoncoke Yeah, that spinny thing called a wheel or something has been around, like, forever, and needs to go.
Ultratron100 10 months ago
in levi's offense they are the best type of jeans i've owned so far.
SpliffWithDjGannon 1 year ago
When Whitman wrote this women didn't have a vote, "equal daughters" my left foot, ha.
jorgefranzle 1 year ago
@jorgefranzle Yes, nationally they did not have the right to vote, however, it was a disputed topic. Some states in the West allowed women to vote in elections. I like to think Whitman was making a statement in support of women's suffrage by referencing "equal daughters" when he could have just as easily said "equal men."
adisher 11 months ago
i wish our pussy politicians would just bring the jobs back here but they just want money cheap and quick assholes
goofoffman411 1 year ago
Levi's should should apply their hypocritical "go forth" slogan to themselves, by "going forth" and bringing their production plants back to the U.S. and stop acting like they care about our country.
ABATHINGAP3 1 year ago
This is a pure mockery of Whitman’s aspirations towards a truly democratic nation. I have difficulty imagining a more cynical act than profiting off the desire for a free and equal society in order to build the brand image of a multinational corporation.
a7m4 1 year ago 20
@a7m4 you are so tight for taking a jeans commercial that seriously gosh man I wish I could be you
brewersfan7 7 months ago
what does this have to do with jeans?
csswafford 1 year ago
@csswafford lol i was asking myself the same thing
Soruko1 11 months ago
Love the fact that Ives is playing in the background
Plutokat 1 year ago
@Plutokat Owen Pallett - The CN Tower Belongs to the Dead (Many Lives Version). Check it out, uses the same violin part.
deadspoken 11 months ago
@deadspoken Owen Pallett uses the piece "The Unanswered Question" from avaunt garde American composer Charles Ives in his song?
Plutokat 11 months ago
@Plutokat I'm not sure... I do know that the intro to the song is the exact same progression. It could just be a coincidence.
deadspoken 11 months ago
This commercial makes me not want to buy jeans because of how downright stupid it is.
ilovecats748 1 year ago
This was a recording from a man by the name of Walt Whitman. I dont think he would have agreed his words to align with the promotion of a jeans brand. but idk.
kennykiller911 1 year ago
Thumbs up if you actually recognized the song, The Unanswered Question by Charles Ives.
ThaddeusMarcum 1 year ago
Its such an epic commercial, but the sad thing is its about jeans:/
3194shi 1 year ago 3
This is the most pretentious commercial ever made.
homemadepie91 1 year ago
Music = The Unanswered Question by Charles Ives.
I love how Levi's is ripping off the mind of Terrence Malick with these ads. Piss on them.
ThaddeusMarcum 1 year ago
i hate this commercial it doesn't make me wanna buy a pear of jeans
Cloudyeyez420 1 year ago
Jesus. Nothing like a bunch of pseudo political idiots on youtube to argue about something they couldn't hold a five minute conversion over, let alone a debate.
Yes; it's a commercial. Yes; the goal is to sell a product. But this is a beautiful and artistic work of a film-making by a wonderfully talented young filmmaker named Cary Fukunaga who I'm sure most of you idiots have never heard of. Watch Sin Nombre, which won a ton of acclaim at Sundance, including Best Director.
shadyfella09 1 year ago 5
@shadyfella09 Thats a good movie.
KeanuLmao 1 year ago
@shadyfella09 Then you will also know about Mr. Malick, who for the second time in Levi's ads is being ripped off. He used this piece by Ives in the Thin Red Line, and even had the gun shot in his clip. He is known for steady cam and the cramming of montage imagery. I like these commercials for their style (John Hillcoat copied his style to a T in the work ad) but they are clearly ripping off Malick's style. Too bad they can't pay homage and make a statement about it, which would make it fine.
ThaddeusMarcum 1 year ago
@ThaddeusMarcum It's a bit of a stretch to call it a copy of The Thin Red Line due to the music. If you go down that path, prepare yourself for the realization that nothing is original (which I don't believe).
I'd also disagree about the piece's style being ripped off. First of all, everything in this commercial is handheld apart from one or two shots. Second, I wouldn't say Malick is at all into montage. You've got your nature montage every now and then, but like this? Nope.
shadyfella09 1 year ago
Comment removed
ThaddeusMarcum 1 year ago
@shadyfella09 No disrespect intended, but have you seen Thin Red Line? Watch is again, because you will notice plenty of montage. This is a great commercial, but it clearly has its roots in Malick's style, just like the Hillcoat commercial.
ThaddeusMarcum 1 year ago
@ThaddeusMarcum I think you're letting the connection with the music get to your head. I'm a huge fan of Malick and I never really got that vibe from the commercial. Now if the commercial had lots of flowing camerawork, nature shots, and internal philosophical monologue, I might change my mind.
If anything, everyone should respect the piece for trying to tell an interesting story about modern American society. Lose the Levi's logo and you have a story about the nature of wealth in America.
shadyfella09 1 year ago
I love how this is a Levi's commercial about some damn jeans and you have countless comments on here from people who obviously have a problem with America. I guess American's aren't allowed to wear Levi's or like this commercial? lol. Come on people that is why the world is so messed up. Hate and haters, from every continent.
olexia07 1 year ago 2
idk what people say this commerical makes me feel so empowered i think its just the voice and the big booms lmao
EDGYGIRL93 1 year ago
This has been flagged as spam show
a black man kissing a white woman...really disgusting
MGOplayer911 1 year ago
It's just some dudes running around in jeans, chill.
elpoo 1 year ago 4
if levis cares so much about america, why do they make their jeans in fucking china?
CrazyItalian992 1 year ago 3
The fuck? Why are there so many arguments about race and consumerism and shit? Stop being racist, pretentious, self-righteous assholes.
I don't give a shit if Levi's or fucking Wal-Mart made a commercial like this; it's art, and just because they put a Levi's logo on the end doesn't detract from it. People need to get over themselves.
dreDREb13 1 year ago 16
falcon pierce think a little deeper. The images in the commercial are american ideals and american values. The commercial is making us believe that levi's jeans are part of american culture and american values.
saveferris199 1 year ago
@saveferris199 the only problem is that, except for the last 3 seconds, levis is not mentioned or explicitly shown once and many people find it difficult to tell who made the commercial under those curmstances.
pimpmobile1 1 year ago
@pimpmobile1 that's the point, Through the whole commercial the viewer is building up this "American" feeling with images and words that describe a very classic, hardworking, and historic America. Then when you see levi's at the end, it creates the association between those american Ideals discussed in Whitman's poem and Levi's jeans. Thus you want to buy the jeans because you want to embody those ideals
saveferris199 1 year ago 4
@saveferris199 Well stated and observed.
hedgehoghoodlum 10 months ago
@saveferris199 Levi doesn't embody American ideals. Not anymore.
Supermassively 4 months ago
@Supermassively the same thing we do for those two industries, china, japan, and germany do for their car companies, hightech companies, energy companies, etc...thats why we cant compete in those markets. take honda for example, 40% is owned by the japanese government, and the japanese have no problem with that because its profitable and competative. look at the history of pre/post WWII, where the government, companies, and universities worked together, from 1941-1970...
detroitmetro101 4 months ago
@Supermassively ...this is when the internet was created, this is when the atomic bomb was created, this is when we send men to the moon... and look at all the companies that spun of of this era. without this colaberation, you would not have apple, google, or any other internet company we know of today. you say you work for intel, well read a little bit about intels history, and youll find that intel along with universities and the government worked in comp.tech. at this time as well
detroitmetro101 4 months ago
@Supermassively people like you who do not want any government involvement in economics, should ironically take a trip to russia, i hear that has become thier economic model over the years....just dont fly a russian plane or a russian airliner......lol.....dumbasss
detroitmetro101 4 months ago
I'm almost 100% positive Cary Fukunaga was set on creating a piece of beautiful art and then after he was done he said something along the lines of "Shit, I forgot I was making a commercial...guess I'll just slap this on the end."
Because first and foremost, I see this a a piece of cinematic beauty.
ganamoha 1 year ago
This is garbage.
rdangelo 1 year ago
yeah yeah, jean commercial, consumerism etc.
Walt Whitman is still the shit.
jaredGL 1 year ago
Law and Love
dlund92 1 year ago
I'm currently doing assignment abt LEVI's ....i'm totally in LOVE doing it nw!!! THis is a really good advertisement...brings the message of Levi's being the creator of JEANS and which, the Americans wear it after the WAR for the celebration of FREEDOM :)
Hyperalle 1 year ago
if it weren't for the Levi logo at the end of it I would never have been able to tel it was a commercial about jeans.
LordJamesCeader 1 year ago
If only this weren't a commercial for jeans.
TheUmmwhatever 1 year ago 70
@TheUmmwhatever If you are saying what im thinking then your comment should be the highest rated on here haha
cofferson 1 year ago
@TheUmmwhatever its also for to gain mexican pride in the mexican sweat shops that make these jeans
goofoffman411 1 year ago
@TheUmmwhatever Levis Jeans are one of the most quintessentially American things there are. Literally for decades Jeans were crazy expensive in the Soviet Bloc and the countries it became when the wall fell. They're as American as Apple Pie, Baseball and Coca Cola. love it or hate it America is a place of commerce.
almostunimportant 10 months ago
Or so they will have you believe so you will buy their product.
Gmancrap 10 months ago
@almostunimportant Very well said. Levis were the first blue jeans that were ever invented, orginating in America and dating back to the Gold Rush in 1853. Jeans are, indeed, as American as Apple Pie.
nicolevm 9 months ago
this is the best.
KrillBilll 1 year ago
me gusta, pero si esto es estados unidos, donde estan los gordos y los viejos?
spastikkk 1 year ago
Comment removed
spastikkk 1 year ago
wasn't this speech supposed to get people to join the army? or am i wrong?
DomoL0ve 1 year ago
Put big ppl in these commercial
RichyJA 1 year ago
this commercial captures this time in history for our country and its people
detroitmetro101 1 year ago 2
This is amazing. Whitman is one of my heroes, THE poet laureate of America, for all ages. His poetry captured the American spirit. I never knew that a recording of his voice existed...truly a treasure.
Ashiman12 1 year ago 2
I think Walt Whitman (whose voice is heard) would not have appreciated being turned into a huckster.
naizret 1 year ago
I don't think he would like his voice Being used for a corporate company to sell pants to hipsters.
Gmancrap 1 year ago 2
@naizret Yes, but he may still have been happy that people around the world are hearing his voice again.
AutumnGracy 1 year ago
which poem is this?
CAHiredGun 1 year ago
why do i suddenly wanna make out with a black guy hmm :)
gaydar1234 1 year ago
Why does this video mainly show black people and mexicans? You should be capturing white!
crazyjorge2111 1 year ago
@crazyjorge2111
what's that supposed to mean?
lartan33 1 year ago
@crazyjorge2111 wow! what a moron!
mike7743 1 year ago
@mike7743 Yeah cause white people are true americans, get it?
crazyjorge2111 1 year ago
@crazyjorge2111 ha! sarcasm well noted.
mike7743 1 year ago
@mike7743 Sorry if I offended you. I'm not racist.
crazyjorge2111 1 year ago
@crazyjorge2111 well, it's hard to translate sarcasm online. disappointment was my initial reaction as opposed to being offended. whether you are a self admitted racist or not is besides the point. I'm glad one more human being is choosing to go down the right path.
mike7743 1 year ago
where do they get the recordings.
jevee13 1 year ago
Yo put some big and husky ppl in these commercials they want to wear Levis 2
RichyJA 1 year ago