Born to run is a narrative commercial spec film created for the Swiss brand On Running. The film follows Lena, a young runner confronting memories of past failures while preparing for a demanding mountain marathon. As childhood memories resurface and doubts begin to grow, she finds the determination to push forward and reclaim her belief in herself.
A story about resilience, memory, and the quiet strength required to keep moving forward. The film uses a layered memory device to put emotion before product, building a portrait of what it actually feels like to push through doubt rather than what running gear looks like in motion.
Note: this is a spec project, created independently as a creative showcase rather than a commissioned campaign for On Running.
Born to run was written, directed, and produced by Samuel Laprand. As a spec film, the project was developed end-to-end by Samuel, from the initial concept and script through to direction, production, and post.
Spec work like this serves a specific purpose: it lets a director build and prove a creative vision without the constraints of a brief. Born to run shows the kind of emotional storytelling director Samuel Laprand brings to brands when the goal is to make audiences feel something before they’re sold anything.
Client
Director | Producer
Key Cast
Chloé Bruna "Lena (14)"
Jean-Luc Besse "Lena's (14) father"
Sylvie Bruna "Lena's (14) mother"
Ivana Marino "Lena (6)"
Michele Marino "Lena's (6) father"
Fanny Marino "Lena's (6) mother"
DoP | Art Director
Post-Production Supervisor | Colourist
Production Assistant | Ronin Operator | Boom Operator
1st Assistant Director
1st Assistant Camera
Gaffer (day 01)
Art Director | Production Designer
Image Consultant
BTS Photographer
Production Assistant | Runner
Extra
Bruna Rainho "Runner"
Paul Peillex Delph "Runner"
Jules Reuse "Runner"
André Gaspoz "Runner"
Chiara Hurshler "Runner"
Tina Bourgeois "Runner"
Editor | Sound Design Assistant
Film Consultant
Production Company
Focusline Production
Associate Production Company
Special Thanks
City of Martigny (athletics stadium)
Imane Emery and her family (chalet in Ayer)
Damien Modoux (Super 8 camera)
Débora Genin
Viviane Zuchuat
