The Best Short Films Featuring Hollywood Stars

The Little Things (Las Pequeñas Cosas), a short film that will be released in the UK on June 2, sees Jean Reno star as an actor visiting the Balearic Islands and learning how to take things easy. The film also features Victoria star Laia Costa and is the latest example of movie stars turning up in short films. To celebrate the release of The Little Things, we take a look back at some of the best short films and adverts featuring acting heavyweights.

Dakota Johnson in Vale (2015)

Dakota Johnson (50 Shades of Grey) made an appearance in Vale alongside Quim Gutiérrez and Natalia Tena. Just like The Little Things, the film is set against the stunning backdrop of the Mediterranean Sea. Johnson’s film A Bigger Splash (2015),which came out at around the same time, also has a similar tone and proved there was more to the actress than just Anastasia Steele.

As if you couldn’t guess, just by looking at the cast and any sepia-tinged still from the film itself, this is a short directed by Wes Anderson (Moonrise Kingdom, The Grand Budapest Hotel). Serving as a prologue to The Darjeeling Limited (2007),this effort actually went on to get better reviews that the feature film it was supposed to be promoting!

Adrien Brody in Come Together (2016)

Another Wes Anderson entry – and to be honest there were plenty of others we could have chosen given the director’s love of the short format – this example stars Adrien Brody (The Pianist). Given the filmmaker’s distinctive style, it’s no surprise that an entire sub-genre of short film parodies have sprung up online. This, however, is the real thing, and is a sweet Christmas movie to boot.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VDinoNRC49c

Sienna Miller and Domhnall Gleeson in The Tale of Thomas Burberry (2016)

Christmas films are clearly the way to go. This Burberry film actually marks the 160th anniversary of the fashion brand and focuses on its founder, played by Domhnall Gleeson (The Force Awakens, Ex Machina). Fellow Hollywood stars Sienna Miller, Dominic West and Lily James also appear in this festive treat.

Unknown Driver in C’etait un Rendez-vous

This near-mythical movie makes the list not just because it’s one of the most thrilling pieces of cinema ever made, but also because the identity of the driver behind the wheel remains a mystery to this day. The story, if you can call it that, is the very definition of simplicity. A camera mounted on the front of a car captures a race through Paris at dawn, as the unnamed driver hurtles along public roads to meet his (or her) date.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zvDXlDxMnb4

Oscar-nominated director Claude Lelouch remains the most popular name in the frame for the driver (he himself has claimed this was the case), although Formula 1 drivers of the day as well as famous petrolhead actors have been rumoured to have sat in the hot seat.

‘The Little Things’ short film is being released on June 2 on estrelladamm.com. View the trailer here.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.