Hannah Gracie

Community / Watch It

Jelani Blackman "Lockjaw" (Joao Retorta, dir.)

Informed by a line in the chorus - ‘My dons going straight to the topfloor', the video for Jelani Blackman’s ‘Lockjaw’ sees camera moving up a staircase at an undisclosed location, constantly finding Jelani on each flight in a fake one-shot. It’s a technique based concept presented in a very rugged manner. Camera moves hand-held at all times and without a clear sense of horizon at moments, creating a somewhat disorientating and claustrophobic feel as we keep moving up but never really go anywhere. - Joao

Community / Watch It

Loyle Carner "Sun of Jean" (Joao Retorta, dir.)

With his debut album ‘Yesterday’s Gone’ nominated for tonight prestigious Mercury prize, Loyle Carner releases the new video for ‘Sun of Jean’ with Joao Retorta back at the helm.  

A nostalgic, honest and delicate depiction of unconditional love between mothers and their sons, exquisitely executed by Joao.

Everything crossed for tonight, a worthy winner we reckon.

Watch It

Wretch 32 "Whistle" (Joao Retorta, dir.)

João Retorta, director: "There’s a quite playful and repetitive feel to the instrumental of ‘Whistle’ that I wanted to replicate with these visuals. I wanted to create a video that kept going back whilst moving forward. A playful depiction of an house party, an element that came attached to the brief, where we see our artists amidst a crowd and our camera moving in a quite mechanical manner, gradually loosening up. and aint that what house parties at all about? that same walk from the couch to the fridge, whilst the night turns into day."

Watch It

Mali Music f/ Jhene Aiko "Contradiction" (Davis Silis, dir.)

Mali Music has shared a sweet new video for "Contradiction," one of his contributions to the ChiRaq The Movie soundtrack. Directed by Davis Silis, the warm video shines a spotlight on the Georgia singer and his collaborator Jhene Aiko. The pair sway gently with a glowing dance club's pretty crowd while singing about the ups and downs of love. As well as creating a reminder of everyone lost in violence not just in Chicago, but all over the world.

David Silis, director: "The insurmountable loss Chicago has experienced over the years for many people only came into perspective when compared to America’s losses in Iraq, a war more publicised, and certainly longer-running than any other.

I grew up not far from Chicago, so when this project came around, working with the supremely talented Mali Music, Jhené Aiko, and the team behind Spike Lee’s film ‘Chi-Raq’, the soundtrack on which ‘Contradiction’ features, it felt quite personal. Especially when only a few weeks after we finished filming, my own hometown suffered a mass shooting.

What we wanted to create was a video that reinforced the story of ‘Chi-Raq,’ but also had its own message. Both a celebration of community, and a lament of its destruction. Or in other words, a contradiction. That while life does go on, we shall never forget those who were lost."

Community / Watch It

Django Django "First Light (LIVE)" (James Willis, dir.)

Bullion’s James Willis follows up his intimate Denai Moore live sessions by collaborating with indie art house rockers Django Django. Released as part of the bands much anticipated second album ‘Born Under Saturn’ James captures Django Django’s complex live set up in a series of stunning one shots for the track’s First Light, Reflections, Beginning to Fade & Pause Repeat.

Community / Watch It

Aquilo "Calling Me" (Davis Silis, dir.)

From the director:

The narrative impulse behind ‘Calling Me’ was immediate. A story familiar to us all. There’s a vulnerability we all face growing up. Grappling with who you are. Who you want to become. You’re driven by instinct as much as reacting to what’s going on around you. What others think of you. And that’s the battle we’ve all had to fight.