Between Fashion and Music | VAEFF 2024

Between Fashion and Music | VAEFF 2024 Screening and Q&A

“What lies between fashion and music? A vast spectrum of works that value style and aesthetic, whether visual or auditory. Now in its eighth edition, this programme has become a role and opportunity that I truly cherish. It allows me to share with you my perspective on some of the most influential recent video works in fashion and music. Mind you, this isn’t intended as a ‘Best of Music and Fashion Films 2024’, but rather a reflection of my current curatorial voice across these worlds. ” – Niccolo Montanari

Niccolo Montanari has been a VAEFF Guest Curator since 2016. He is the founder of Curation Hour, a platform that amplifies the voices of filmmakers through curated screenings with partner festivals, online features, and network building.

Director: The Blaze

Synopsis: French duo The Blaze, composed of cousins Guillaume and Jonathan Alric, have returned with The Poem, an extraordinary music video for their track MADLY from their album JUNGLE. Known for their epic, emotionally charged, and cinematic self-directed videos, this latest project follows a 13-year-old boy, Liam, as he recites a poem to his class, inspired by his first rave experience with his older brother. The video beautifully celebrates rave culture and the inclusivity of dance music, featuring scenes from massive street parties to strobe-lit warehouses.

Director: Megaforce

Choreographed by: (La) Horde

Synopsis: The ad, part of Burberry’s ongoing collaboration with directing collective Megaforce, promotes the brand’s 2022 Outerwear collection. Unlike previous nature-themed campaigns, “Night Creatures” is set in the city, where a group of friends encounters a mysterious creature while on a bus. They then engage in a surreal, nighttime dance with it through the streets. Choreographed by (La) Horde, the ad aims to capture the bold, adventurous spirit of fearlessly embracing the unknown.

Director: Pensacola

Synopsis: The Chemical Brothers ft. Beck – ‘Skipping Like A Stone’ stars stone-skipping champion Kurt Steiner, record-holding champion stone skipper—and a master of the physics that underpins. It was shot in Lithuania at the end of August.

Director: Daniel Warwick

Synopsis: In this little film for the brand Kathmandu we follow a group of friends on a mind bending adventure of maximum “summering”. Together with nocturnal animals and ferociously fun characters encountered on their path and driven by the fantastic track ‘Jimmy Renda-se’ by Tom Zé they dip seamlessly into night and day and back again defeating all metaphoric symbols of sleep on the way.

Director: Ebeneza Blanche

Synopsis: The New Originals’ Spring/Summer 2022 “Mathlete” campaign, directed by Ebeneza Blanche, draws from his personal experience in a Ghanaian boarding school. The campaign highlights preppy clothing like cardigans, vests, and bottoms, while offering an authentic portrayal of teenage life in Ghana. Photographer Kwabena Seyki Appiah-nti captured the imagery. Blanche reflects on his time in boarding school, describing it as a disciplinary experience where he struggled to adapt due to cultural and environmental differences, having grown up partly in the Western world.

Director: Pau Carreté

Synopsis: The music video for Colmillo by Tainy, featuring J Balvin, Young Miko, and Jowell y Randy, directed by Pau Carreté, is a bold fusion of music, art, and imagination. It is divided into three visually distinct sections, each reflecting the song’s evolving dynamics. The video fluidly shifts between black-and-white and vibrant color schemes, creating a visual contrast between reality and fantasy. An unexpected hentai scene adds a provocative twist, enhancing the video’s uniqueness. This daring and visually stimulating piece stands out as a groundbreaking artistic work.

Director: WAXXWORK

Synopsis: Director duo WAXXWORK (Timothy Casten and Vikesh Govind) delve into the concept of euphoria in London Grammar’s comeback collaboration with CamelPhat. Using classic paintings and AI, they draw parallels between religious experiences, their portrayal in art over the centuries, and the modern-day euphoria of the dancefloor, whether drug-induced or not. The video features stunning work by cinematographer Adam Singodia, vibrant color grading by Myles Bevan at Studio RM, and an energetic edit by Casten and Govind, all reinforcing the deeper meaning behind the visuals.

Director: Lope Serrano

Synopsis: Coach’s latest campaign, “Wear Your Shine,” showcases a collection of metallic and sparkly bags, clothing, and accessories for fall. Directed by Lope Serano and photographed by Joshua Woods, with choreography by Emma Portner, the campaign features stars like Dove Cameron, Lil Buck, Youngji Lee, and Yanfei Song. It highlights the importance of self-expression, encouraging individuals to let their inner shine be reflected through fashion. Coach’s Creative Director, Stuart Vevers, explains that the collection draws inspiration from the attitudes of today’s generation, using Coach’s heritage as a base for bold, youthful designs that foster self-expression and possibility.

Director: Luis Velasco

Synopsis: Spanish director Luis Velasco recently collaborated with fashion brand Reveligion on a dream-like fashion film titled Levitate. The film emphasizes the delicate and ethereal movement of tulle, a signature element of the brand. Models appear to float gracefully, as if ascending to the heavens, accompanied by poetic narration written by Velasco. His words are inspired by the mystical writings of Spanish figures John of the Cross and Teresa of Avila. In an exclusive interview, Velasco discusses his journey into filmmaking, the creative motivations behind this whimsical film, and shares insights into his upcoming projects.

Director: Hugh Mulhern

Synopsis: “Doolally” is a party anthem but within the context of Hak’s album, it also explores themes of escape, dissociation, and finding connection through disconnection. The video provides an opportunity to push the boundaries of the techniques and visual language developed in their previous collaboration on Telephones 4 Eyes. The video blends 3D animation, AI-generated visuals, props, and puppets, set within an active warehouse party. Mulhern aimed to create the feeling of being pulled through different layers of reality, capturing the whirlwind of a 36-hour night out.

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Cinema Village, 22 East 12th Street, New York, United States