The Paris Opera has never looked as depraved as it does in Bret Easton Ellis' new ad

What do you get when you combine the sensibilities of one of the world's most storied cultural institutions with those of the author of American Psycho?

A new commercial for the Paris Opera directed by Bret Easton Ellis gives a taste of the sort of urbane debauchery that can ensue. 

There are drugs, guns and gratuitous group sex -- all in black and white and set to the opera standard, "The Barber of Seville." The protagonist is a young, tousle-haired opera singer who loses his voice, leaves the studio for a wild, sleepless night and returns to find he's able to nail every note.

It's not easy for a 300-year-old opera house to attract a younger crowd, but the French national treasure is giving it its best shot with a stylish new site that showcases artistic work from well-known creators. Ellis' new video is the latest contribution to that effort.

"I was very flattered to be approached by the Paris Opera, and surprised that they gave me so much freedom," Ellis said in a statement. 

"I wanted to do something slightly humorous and to play with the film medium against an opera track. I don't think it's very dissimilar thematically from what I'm usually attracted to—there's a bit of decadence at play here, but the film doesn't take itself too seriously. There was an energy on the set that was infectious and funny, and hopefully you can get that from watching Figaro."

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