David Reviews
 "You're not an artist, Peggy. You solve problems." Don Draper.
Latest Work
    • The New Abnormal This striking short film from Stuart Langfield suggests a return to normal isn't the goal we should be aiming for post-Covid.
    • Visiting VocalsA second instalment of Amazon's latest campaign continues the couch-bound chaos of voice activated technology.
    • Real-Life NightmaresGreenpeace attempt to recapture the storybook magic of 2018's 'Rang-Tan' in their latest animated outing.
    • Raman Djafari joins BlinkInkBlinkink have added Hamburg-based animator and director Raman Djafari to their roster for representation.
    • Final Cut welcome Justin BrukmanJustin Brukman joins Final Cut as US Managing Director and Director of Global New Business.
    • Lives of LackPoverty is one of the greatest threats to families across the globe, and this touching film highlights the plight of those on the breadline in Romania.
    • Re(re-re-re)-windAmazon takes a cinematic approach in their latest campaign to convince consumers they're missing out on the joys of voice activated technology.
    • Things that go meow in the night.This fantastic short film for Temptations is built around a truth about cats of which many may be unaware.
    • Get ready for what exactly?It's ironic that the propaganda juggernaut should continue to roll even as it appears that actual juggernauts are likely to be stalled in the giant Brexit car park (neé Kent) as the transition phase of the UK's painful departure from the EU comes to an end on January 1.
    • Going the DistanceThis rather charming commercial for Bud Light breathes a little life into such cardboard sport supporters, as it follows one on a quest for refreshment.
    • Dazed DaysVegan bodycare brand Happy Dance are using celebrity power to get in on the craze for cannabis-adjacent products.
    • Living on PauseThis affecting film for ERUK has a sting in the tail which will draw compassion from even the most tuned-out viewer.

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Short Films
"We Shall Not Return"		 87s
22 October 2020

Shot during lockdown with the support of a network of DOPs, this striking short film from Stuart Langfield suggests a return to normal isn't the goal we should be aiming for post-Covid. The atmospheric piece urges us to become better, more compassionate humans in a post-pandemic world - ones who focus less on personal gain and more on the wonder of the world around us.

While moving forwards seems as far away now as it did back in March, there's a compelling conciseness to Langfield's film which suggests that even though the future may feel in permanent limbo, it will - eventually - be in the offing. Distinctive visuals of fire, water, and plant life emphasise a commitment to healing nature in addition to ourselves, too.

Amazon
"Opera"		 60s
21 October 2020

A second instalment of Amazon's latest campaign continues to explore the couch-bound chaos of voice activated technology. This time it's a dignified opera performance which gets the rough treatment, as a bloke on a sun lounger barges his way through an a la mode crowd to ask the singer to change their tune.

Excellent production design does a lot to enhance the film's humour here. From white-wigged patrons with painstakingly-applied beauty marks to warm candlelight creating the perfect stuffy atmosphere, it provides a great scene for the protagonist to crash.

And crash he does, like a throwback Matthew McConaughey in black budgie smugglers who is totally oblivious to just how, er, underdressed he is for the occasion. A classical cover of Donna Summer's 'I Feel Love' only feels appropriate after all that, really.

Greenpeace
"There's a Monster in My Kitchen"		 2 mins 12s
21 October 2020

Greenpeace attempt to recapture the storybook magic of 2018's 'Rang-Tan' in their latest animated outing. Still concerned with the issue of deforestation, this film focuses on the impact of the industrial meat industry on the environment, as it razes endangered habitats to the ground in favour of the mass production of animal feed.

While the film's painterly animation creates a hand-crafted feel, and actor Wagner Moura (Narcos) provides a well-considered voiceover, this instalment doesn't quite capture the same vibe as its widely-acclaimed predecessor. Perhaps it's the more sinister soundtrack, or the emphasis on personal choice when a child's diet isn't the planet's greatest concern.

Regardless, this is a lovey piece of work which suggests that we can still have an impact on world-threatening issues - however small that may feel. Characterful design work on the jaguar really ups the film's poignancy and emotional impact, too.

Raman Djafari joins BlinkInk

Blinkink have added Hamburg-based animator and director Raman Djafari to their roster for representation.

A background in illustration heavily influences Djafari's surreal style, which makes intricate transitions and layered explorations of the human psyche feel effortless. Alternate realities become manifest in his work, spinning out spellbinding tales across commercials, music promos, and short films.
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE...
Final Cut welcome Justin Brukman

Final Cut - alongside VFX and post-production company Significant Others - welcome a new arrival in the form of Justin Brukman, who joins them in the recently-created role of US Managing Director and Director of Global New Business.

Brukman is well-known throughout the industry for his groundbreaking work with top creative agencies - particularly his role in launching MPC in first New York and then all of North America. His hiring emphasises Final Cut's confidence in their talented roster, not to mention their determination to see the industry recover and their company flourish post-Covid.


CLICK HERE TO READ MORE...
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Recent Promos
(1-25 of 25)
Stefflon Don
"Can't Let You Go"		 3 mins 25s
22 Oct 2020
A combination of polished set design and down-to-earth choreography make this promo for Stefflon Don's latest track a treat for the eyes and ears. 'Can't Let You Go' brings the British-Nigerian singer's diverse cultural influences into play, as she incorporates Yoruba lyrics into declarations of longing for someone special.
Novo Amor
"I Feel Better"		 2 mins 58s
19 Oct 2020
This atmospheric promo for Novo Amor's 'I Feel Better' gives voice to the twisted feelings which stem from a relationship breakdown. Knives enter backs, sobs wrench gutturally, and a thousand eggshells just wait to be stepped on as the stylishly-shot pain plays out. It's visceral work from director Lisette Donkersloot, culminating in a butcher's counter which ties off the, er, raw emotions nicely.
Duck Sauce
"Mesmerize"		 4 mins 28s
18 Oct 2020
Sometimes, one's first thought upon viewing a new piece of work is to question the mental state of those behind it... but not in a bad way. Watching this is a complete head fuck so imagine what it's like having it all bouncing around inside you as its creator, rather than as a mere viewer.
Millie Turner
"Eye of the Storm"		 3 mins 53s
15 Oct 2020
This whimsical promo for Millie Turner's 'Eye of the Storm' captures the singer's carefree spirit. Shot in understated fashion by director Hannah Berry George, the energetic promo sees Turner frolic through lush woodland, run under stormy skies, and deliver a memorable turn to camera inside a parachute. Delicate cinematography seals the deal for a soulful visual experience.
Joe Hertz
"Inside Current Blues"		 3 mins 14s
16 Oct 2020
This intriguing film takes viewers into the mind of Joe Hertz and explores his artistic vision when creating new album 'Current Blues'. Featuring thought-provoking vignettes which involve activities as diverse as VR, dance, and indoor cycling, the audience is treated to snippets of the new tracks as Hertz waxes lyrical about his process of making songs "from the inside out".
Tom Rosenthal
"We Can Always Come Back"		 2 mins 51s
14 Oct 2020
First released in 2017, Tom Rosenthal’s 'We Can Always Come Back' receives a heart-wrenching new promo courtesy of director Rachael Olga Lloyd. The Royal College of Art graduate weaves an evocative, stop-motion animated tale, as a family beach holiday is given new meaning years later— one skilfully conveyed through Lloyd's puppetry.
Joesef
"Does it Make You Feel Good?"		 3 mins 08s
13 Oct 2020
Singer Joesef and director Molly Burdett’s previous collaboration saw the former locked inside a dingy flat with poor temperature control. Their follow-up offers a marked change of pace, as a boy (played with infectious abandon by Kayden Weir) channels his inner Billy Elliot and dances to the local bowling club. It's spirited work from the established partnership.
Gotts Street Park
"Everything"		 3 mins 26s
12 Oct 2020
Director Lola Aitken-Till aka Silence presents a decidedly grown-up sand pit in this promo for Gotts Street Park’s 'Everything'. As guest vocalist Rosie Lowe puts listeners at ease ("I can dim the lights/It makes you feel more easy on my mind"), a sensual dance routine unfolds against the setting sun. Anakin Skywalker may want to skip this one.
Bree Runway
"Little Nokia"		 2 mins 29s
9 Oct 2020
This Bree Runway promo feels like a Carphone Warehouse employee's ultimate fantasy. The sight of her riding a giant 3310 handset like a mechanical bull is certainly memorable, but director Ali Kurr also nails tightly choreographed routines that emphasise Runway's stage presence. We hope this inspires a wave of mechanics-cum-trapeze artists.
London Grammar
"Californian Soil"		 3 mins 48s
8 Oct 2020
This enthralling promo for London Grammar's latest track 'Californian Soil' blends glamour and darkness for a beach retreat with a difference. Directed by Silent Tapes, the film has a surreal atmosphere that builds from the very beginning, as Hollywood glitz breaks down into something increasingly fractured and abstract.
The Oozes
"Swallow"		 1 min 55s
7 Oct 2020
The propulsive debut single from UK queercore band The Oozes is an anti-capitalist scream that coasts on the gall of its opening line: "Sleep with Mr McDonald/Suck off a prick in his suit and tie on his billion-pound cashmere". Together with director Colm McCarthy's manic circus of a promo, it's a spirited first assault from the quartet.
Jorja Smith
"Come Over (ft. Popcaan)"		 3 mins 59s
5 Oct 2020
This promo for Jorja Smith's latest single 'Come Over' boasts sci-fi, Afrofuturistic vibes, which will leave viewers begging for a full-length animated series. Directed by Amber Grace Johnson, the film focuses on female empowerment and delves into Smith's frustration at being messed around by potential suitors.
Kelly Lee Owens
"The Corner of My Sky (ft. John Cale)"		 6 mins 20s
29 Sep 2020
It's man vs. toast in this bizarre and highly atmospheric promo for Kelly Lee Owens' latest track 'The Corner of My Sky'. Michael Sheen stars as a man with a disconcerting breakfast issue: a toaster that disappears bread into the ether seemingly at will. Featuring vocals from the Velvet Underground's John Cale, the track itself has shades of Joy Division in its dreamy sound.
A G Cook
"Beautiful Superstar"		 4 mins 42s
29 Sep 2020
Producer and Richard Ashcroft lookalike AG Cook embarks on an uncanny expedition in this sci-fi-tinged promo for ‘Beautiful Superstar’. Cook (who co-directs with Prosper Unger-Hamilton) wields both a camcorder and a modified crossbow as he observes extraterrestrial phenomena, including a giant, copyright lawyer-baiting apple.
Gaël Faye
"Respire"		 3 mins 18s
23 Sep 2020
Florid architecture and ‘Tenet’-style breathing masks dominate this Gaël Faye promo from director Raphaël Levy. Shot in the Ivry-sur-Seine district of Paris, Levy's film juxtaposes the stifling mundanity of modern life (represented by desk jockeys on life support) with jagged concrete buildings that are somehow bursting with greenery.
Yusuf/Cat Stevens
"Father and Son 2020"		 4 mins
18 Sep 2020
Cat Stevens gets meta with this re-working of classic track 'Father and Son', in which he swaps out his original vocals (when playing the father) for his now authentically-aged voice. It's a poignant choice, allowing the listener to hear a man reflecting on both his past and present self - the son with the desire to rush off and build a future, and the father urging caution.
Fenne Lily
"Solipsism"		 3 mins 06s
16 Sep 2020
This promo for Bristol singer and songwriter Fenne Lily brings new meaning to the phrase 'shopping trip'. Shot in what may well be some viewers' local convenience store, the film sees banana-lover Lily overdose on potassium and face some highly personalised advertising. Even staff and fellow shoppers aren't immune to this mind mischief.
NOISY
"Put a Record On"		 3 mins 03s
14 Sep 2020
Shot on 16mm film, this gritty promo for NOISY's 'Put a Record On' makes the most of its hazy medium. Director Thomas Davis's film has a distinctly textured quality to it, as the protagonist performs the track to camera with a snarl and buckets of attitude. Should appeal to fans of a Nineties aesthetic, rave culture, and, er, recreational writhing.
Katy Perry
"Cry About It Later"		 3 mins 16s
14 Sep 2020
Katy Perry channels Studio Ghibli in this animated promo for latest single 'Cry About It Later'. The pop star turns traditional tales topsy-turvy in the lovingly rendered film, as she changes the focus of familiar fairy stories to embrace female empowerment. From transforming into a witch to beating a vampire at his own game, Perry's animated avatar is very much the hero of her own story.
Katy Perry
"Tucked"		 3 mins 24s
11 Sep 2020
Directors Hoku & Adam evoke Archie Comics and other classic titles in this cheeky promo for Katy Perry’s ‘Tucked’. Like a healthy eating campaign gone wrong, a woman contemplates cheats on her part man, part brocolli husband with the hunky piece of candy across the road. So much for 'Love Me Tenderstem®'.
Stormzy
"Superheroes"		 3 mins 46s
10 Sep 2020
Heroes can feel few and far between these days - elected officials quibble while the world burns, celebrities are exposed as abusers, and current events show deep divides at all levels of society - but Stormzy is determined to show Black youth that they can be their own heroes with this stirring promo dedicated to the late Chadwick Boseman.
FKA twigs
"Sad Day"		 7 mins 34s
8 Sep 2020
FKA twigs adds wushu (or Chinese martial arts) to her eclectic CV in this Hiro Murai-directed video for 'Sad Day'. Filmed in and around north London, the promo sees Twigs and her companion lock swords in a Chinese takeaway before leaping into the night à la 'Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon'. Or should that be 'Crouch End Tiger'?
Groove Armada
"Lover 4 Now"		 3 mins 38s
7 Sep 2020
This animated promo for Groove Armada's latest track is a labour of lockdown love. Inspired by the isolation and anxiety of coronavirus quarantine, director Fons Schiedon spins a tale of long-distance relationships and finding hope amidst the heavy silence. With sketchy animation and a scrappy vibe, the film sees an unlikely pair fall for each other via video call.
Run The Jewels
"Out of Sight"		 4 mins 24s
4 Sep 2020
An unusual attempted heist takes centre stage in this entertaining promo for Run The Jewels' latest track 'Out of Sight'. The promo stars actors from director Ninian Doff's debut feature film 'Get Duked!' as would-be robbers - who get themselves into hot water when the gems they're eyeing up prove too tasty to resist.
Ghostpoet
"I Grow Tired But Dare Not Fall Asleep"		 4 mins 35s
3 Sep 2020
Ghostpoet turns barfly in this grimly compelling promo for 'I Grow Tired But Dare Not Fall Asleep', with artist Obaro Ejimiwe seemingly content to drink the night away in a dive bar. Alas, fate has other plans in store for him. Some fresh air (among other things) lands Ghostpoet in the emergency room, and, well, things just go from bad to worse after that.
Recent Promos
(1-25 of 25)
David Reviews - Lovely Lenzie Ltd, Woodbourne House, Seven Sisters, Lenzie, G66 3AW. Telephone: +44 141 776 7766. Editor: Jason Stone.