Venkay at NM Talent Showcases a True Adventure in Storytelling for Hotel du Couvent

When Valéry Grego, the visionary behind Perseus Properties, and the talented team at Festen Architecture, came to Venkay with an idea for Hotel du Couvent—a 17th-century convent in the heart of old Nice, reimagined as a luxury hotel—they had one key request: they wanted something unexpected, something that captured the joy and liveliness of this historic gem. 

From the start, this project had a twist: instead of just a standard hotel film, the entire website would be brought to life through a series of films, weaving together the stories of the behind-the-scenes team and guest experiences as users explore the site. 

Venkay envisioned a mix of approaches: some films would be shot in one uninterrupted sequence, capturing the dynamic energy of the kitchen or the seamless flow of the housekeeping team. Others would take a more playful angle, like a snorri-cam strapped to a fennel bulb as it journeys from the farm to the convent’s bustling market.

In the end, this collaboration was a true adventure in storytelling, blending the past and present in a way that’s as lively and full of character as the Hotel du Couvent itself. 

Kristell Chenut - director @Venkay said,“Valéry invited us to tour the convent months before its restoration was complete, allowing us to soak in the energy of the place, connect with its rich history, and get to know the neighbourhood. This early immersion sparked a flood of ideas, steering Vincent and I away from traditional hotel storytelling and toward something far more exciting—little vignettes that give glimpses of life within the convent’s walls. 

Of course, every project has its challenges, and this one came with budget constraints and a few casting hurdles, however these limitations only fuelled our creative direction. With filming dates locked in, we had to adapt fast. The original script and casting plans were adapted to pivot our idea to capturing real people on the fly, turning the hotel staff and locals into our films’ stars. 

Working directly with a client like Valéry, who has a clear vision and makes decisions quickly, allowed us to keep the momentum going and stay on schedule - which was crucial for us to achieve our vision on this project.”