Directing duo Ben + Lewis explore the dialectic of hedonism and hard knocks at the heart of Crystal Fighters’ Champion Sound with their new video.

Luke Treadaway (Killing Bono, Attack the Block and Clash of the Titans) plays the concertina-playing busker who’s lured by revellers – and particularly the luminous Georgina Bevan – onto a surreal journey towards self-realisation.

Employing a challenging number of locations, cast members and sumptuous styling – with Vivienne Westwood providing clothing throughout – this ambitious production (through Soho-based Saloon Films) is a visual feast – and the band themselves pop up as the extravagantly dressed pied pipers of the pleasure dome.

“This is a cinematic narrative-driven piece, which was developed conceptually to reflect the spirit of Crystal Fighters,” explain Ben and Lewis. “The film was a journey for everyone involved. The track was inspiring, as was the commitment of everyone involved in the making of the film. We somehow managed to pull off a huge scale shoot over just two days.”

Crystal Fighters
Champion Sound (PIAS)
Director: Ben Strebel & Lewis Kyle White
Producer: Emory Ruegg
Prod co: Saloon Films
DoP: Matt Fischer
Art Director: Ben Lack
Stylist: Shiobhan Lyons
Make up: Poppy France
Editor: Myles Painter
Sound: Michael Floyd
Grade: Houmam @ The Mill
Casting: Leo Beamish & Chandra Ruegg
Production manager: Joey Seager
PA: Frankie Chambers
Gaffer: Ian Barwick / Bruno Martins
Spark: Jazz Bhalla
Focus Puller: Ben Plant
Grip: Kevin Foy
DIT: Simon Frost
Loader: Sean Fox
1st AD: Boris Becker
2nd AD: Louis Barron
Sound Recordist: Michael Floyd
Assistant Art Director: Mark Couzens
Management: Giant Men Management
Label: PIAS