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Meduza, James Carter ft Elley Duhé, Fast Boy 'Bad Memories' by Elliott Gonzo

Rob Ulitski - 29th July 2022

Elliott Gonzo introduces us to an epic dystopian world in his promo for Italian DJ trio Meduza, featuring James Carter, Elley Duhé and Fast Boy.

Set in Vietnam - it was shot in the remains of Ho Thuy Tien Water Park - the video experiments with extreme environments, lighting and shadows to depict a group of marginalised young people who are in search of something better, where a remarkable giant dragon statue becomes the focus for their self-discovery. 

It offers a fresh perspective on contemporary themes, experimenting with colour and cinematography, via infrared filters, to tell the story.

"It's a coming of age story, following a group of Vietnamese teenagers as they embark on a journey of discovery and self-realisation," says Elliott Gonzo. "By reconnecting with Vietnamese folklore and mythology, the narrative culminates in the discovery of a crumbling stone dragon statue set deep within a mystic jungle.

Gonzo adds that he was inspired by Richard Mosse’s The Enclave to give the location an otherworldly feel and look through the use of an infrared lens filter.

"In Vietnam the dragon is a symbol of power and nobility, particularly of the nation," he continues. "The characters in the video embody the ancient dragon figure, with fiery red eyes and smoke billowing from their mouths, they represent the power of the youth and progressive subcultures in Vietnam." 

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Rob Ulitski - 29th July 2022

Tags

  • Director's notes
  • Narrative
  • Dance
  • Ho Thuy Tien Water Park
  • Abstract
  • Youth
  • Folklore
  • Coming of age
  • Infra-red

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Credits

Production/Creative

Director
Elliott Gonzo
Producer
Isabella Culver
Producer
Line Producer - Le Nhu Uyen 
Production Company
Executive Producer
Gordon Westman
Executive Producer
Pham Thi Hoang Lan
Executive Producer
Nathan Killham
Production Manager
Nguyen To Nga 

Camera

Director of Photography
Gianpaolo Lupori
Focus Puller
Nguyen Phan Anh Kiet 
Focus Puller
Nguyễn Phi Long 
2nd AC
Phan Trong Hieu 
Drone
Pham Duc Anh 

Lighting/Grip

Gaffer
Le Thanh Tam 

Art

Art Director
Cao Ngoc Thanh Tai
Art Director
Le Than Hoang Long

Casting

Nguyen Canh Hoang Long, Nguyen Hoang Yen Vy, Nghiem Tran Bao Ngoc, Lam Nhi Hung, Nguyen Phuc Khang 

Editorial

Editor
Elliott Gonzo
Edit Producer
Ed Chambers

Grading

Colourist
Myles Bevan
Colour grade company
Time Based Arts

VFX

VFX
Alan Shelley
Post production company
Bench Films/redkimono

Agent

Director's Representation

Commission

Commissioner
John Hassay

Rob Ulitski - 29th July 2022

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