Cannes Contenders: UK

Nike So Win

I’m obsessed with everything about this film. The script. The shots. The edit. The VO (Doechii!). The heavy metal of Led Zeppelin, galvanising all elements. How the track is synced to the edit. Jordan Chiles as the Nike logo at the end. 

It’s the first one min ad in a long time that I wish went longer.

I have watched it over 50 times. It’s the first one min ad in a long time that I wish went longer. Kudos to Kim Gehrig and Somesuch (a UK company, so I'm sneaking this one in), the crew, the editors, to Soundtree Music, and everyone else involved in making this such a cut through, crafted film.

Burberry It’s Always Burberry Weather: London in Love

A series of sweet, star-studded short films, inspired by British rom-coms. Romantically linking the most dull but most reliable aspect of London - the lacklustre weather - to Burberry’s core range. What caught my attention most about this campaign was the Burberry Equestrian Knight - aka the logo - brought to life as a living, moving entity. 

Charming, unexpected and memorable.

Charming, unexpected and memorable, and a very savvy nod to Daniel Lee’s 2023 logo refresh of the original 1901 logo, post Riccardo Tisci’s departure. Overall, Burberry’s social strategy and production deserves a special mention.

Charli XCX 360 

The colour we saw, the sound we heard, the attitude we embodied, the bratosphere we breathed. There are many articles online dissecting the phenomena of its arc - from subculture, to culture, to corporatisation. For the purpose of this article (and being unsure of the technical rules of said article), I’m speaking about [music video] 360, written and directed by Aidan Zamiri from the formidable Object & Animal.

Satirical, choreographed cool, this atom of colour code #8ACE00 was a notable piece of the zeitgeist.

“Please stop saying this is a music video - it’s a documentary!! We didn’t plan any of this, I had no idea Chloe Sevigny was in that Porsche.” (source: Zamiri, instagram)

Satirical, choreographed cool, this atom of colour code #8ACE00 was a notable piece of the zeitgeist, with its self referential cast, including Gabbriette, Julia Fox, Chloe Cherry, Blizzy McGuire, Tess McMillan, and (original 'It Girl'), Chloe Sevigny.

“It’s definitely a je ne sais quoi situation.”

“You have to be, like, known. But at the same time, unknowable.” 

Trés iconique.

Channel 4 Paralympic Games Considering What? 

“Excellence is excellence, no caveats.” - Lynsey Atkin, ECD 4creative.

Watch this film, I dare you not to get goosebumps. The idea, the script, the VO, the casting, the characters, the sound design and score. Grit and power and madness, interwoven with the most ordinary, making for an intricate, visceral fever dream.

An important insight, told with captivating metaphors, in a beautifully filmic style.

An important insight, told with captivating metaphors, in a beautifully filmic style. Sidenote: The man laughing madly in the chair reminded me of the silver man in Tony Kaye's Tested for the Unexpected for Dunlop.

Loewe Decades of Confusion

When I’m in the US, the Spelling Bee channel is my hotel TV go-to. Hence, I was obsessed by the idea, the insight and ultimately the beauty of this execution. Geek chic.

Women's Aid Van Wife

A powerful short directed by Rachel Stubbings, part of the women-led powerhouse at Merman, in partnership with Women’s Aid and LadBible. 

Some important take aways; amber flags are red flags in waiting.

Some important take aways; amber flags are red flags in waiting. See the signs and get out. Never underestimate the importance of good friends. This campaign launched on YouTube and LadBible’s channels, targeting young men.

Co-op Owned By You, Right By You 

There is a beguiling level of craft within this film. Hand-drawn frames, printed from an everyday receipt printer, like those that sit on on Co-op counters across Britain. Glitches, imperfections, inky, happy accidents; then animated to tell the story of Co-op. A company, by the people, for the people, the nation, the planet.