THE FOLWERPOT
Each issue of 24FPS is paired with an iconic, exclusive physical piece — not mere merchandise, but a symbolic object drawn directly from the film’s narrative universe. The design process begins with a careful selection of diegétic elements that hold deep emotional, thematic, or narrative meaning. These are more than props; they’re metaphors that enrich the story itself.
For the issue dedicated to the movie Léon: The Professional (Luc Besson, 1994), the chosen object is a ceramic flower pot — an exact replica of Léon’s beloved plant. In the film, the agalonema plant mirrors Léon’s own life: solitary, uprooted, yet resilient. As he tells Mathilda in one of the film’s most touching scenes, “Always happy. No questions.” That exact line is engraved on the rim of the pot, in a very curated way, alongside the inscription “24FPS. LÉON. FRAME 12”, referencing the article in the magazine that explores the scene’s symbolism in depth.
Even the typography used for the engraving was inspired by the milk carton design Léon drinks from throughout the movie, closing a perfect loop of visual references. The aim isn’t to replicate an object, but to transform it into a meaningful artifact — something the user can integrate into their daily life, as if they themselves inhabited the film’s world.
And that’s where the magic lies: most of these pieces appear to be ordinary objects — a plant, a cup, a keychain, a label — the kind you’d find in any corner shop. But within the right context, for the cinephile, the collector, the lover of detail, they become emotional relics charged with symbolism. Owning that flower pot isn’t just having a plant — it’s having a piece of Léon’s soul nearby, a reminder of his quiet love, his emotional refuge, his bond with Mathilda. The everyday object becomes an intimate experience — a way of living cinema beyond the screen.
