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Duran Duran 'Black Moonlight' by Jonas Akerlund

Rob Ulitski - 12th Dec 2023

Jonas Åkerlund reunites with veteran wild boys Duran Duran to make a fantastic video inspired by the late 19th/early 20th century obsession with the supernatural and communicating with the dead. 

Having worked with the band on their Girl Panic video back in 2010, the Grammy-winning director is back with a fresh vision for Black Moonlight, following the group through a performative séance, in the style of an early silent movie.

A haunting play on the history of clairvoyance and mysticism, the visual is inspired by the artwork of the band's new album Danse Macabre, which itself features images adapted from a collection of vintage séance photos, personally sourced by keyboardist Nick Rhodes at auction.

The video is packed full of Åkerlund trademarks - a playful balance of surrealism and commercial appeal, a killer concept and captivating imagery - and perfectly embodies the enigmatic track. 

Furthermore, the monochromatic aesthetic adds a nostalgic appeal to the promo, playing into horror iconography and spooky vintage cinema, beautifully captured by DoP Ole Birkeland. 

And it turns out that Nick Rhodes was born to play a silent movie mad professor...

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Rob Ulitski - 12th Dec 2023

Tags

  • Pick of the Day
  • Performance
  • Rock
  • Performance
  • Surreal
  • Iconic
  • Iconography
  • Horror
  • Séance
  • Ghosts

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Credits

Production/Creative

Director
Jonas Akerlund
Producer
Holly Wolfers
Production Company
Executive Producer
Martin Roker
Production Manager
Daisy Shepherd
1st AD
Ben Gill
Production Assistants
Steph McAuley, Barney Gee
2nd AD
Charlotte Miller

Camera

Director of Photography
Ole Birkeland
Focus Puller
Lawrence Beckwith
2nd AC
William Marchant

Lighting/Grip

Key Grip
Andy Sauer

Art

Production designer
Charlie Hippisley
Set Director
Ella Tramunto

Wardrobe

Stylist
Rebekah Roy
Hair
Elvire Roux
Make-up
Carol Morley

Choreography

Dancers
Erna Omarsdottir, Hannah Ekholm

Editorial

Editor
Marcus Eriksson
Sound Designer
Rune Klausen
SFX
MatterSFX Ltd,

Grading

Colourist
Kai Van Beers
Titles And Graphics
Robin Olofsson

VFX

Post production company
1920 Vfx
Post Producer
Ella Whiting
2D Lead
Emily Govinden

Commission

Artist Manager
Wendy Laister

Rob Ulitski - 12th Dec 2023

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