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
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Credits
Production/Creative
- Director
- Jonas Akerlund
- Producer
- Holly Wolfers
- Production Company
- BF
- 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
- CH
- 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