Ed Sheeran 'Azizam' by Saman Kesh
Rob Ulitski - 24th Apr 2025
Saman Kesh returns to music videos and reunites with Ed Sheeran for the vibrant, high-energy promo, strong on Iranian influences and flavour, for Azizam.
Shot like a fever dream, the video celebrates culture, movement, food and the universal intensity of human connection. It's fast-moving camerawork captures Ed as he's thrust into a variety of scenarios, encountering a cast of admirers in a gallery, UK-Iranian actor Omid Djalili in a hotel kitchen, a wedding party and legendary Iranian singer Googoosh - plus songwriter/producer Ilya Salmanzadeh, who co-wrote the song.
This breathless whirlwind of rice-infused colour and energy - which starts when Ed trips over a Persian rug in the recording studio - is a refreshing departure for the singer, while taking Saman Kesh back to his own Iranian roots in his first collab with Sheeran since Drunk in 2012.
It also echoes the director's early work in music videos for the likes of Cinnamon Chasers and Russ Chimes. Like those breakthrough promos Kesh uses the camera as a character in its own right, flipping between Ed's POV and those of his admirers. That really contributes to a brilliantly-executed vision that feels as fresh as the track.
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Rob Ulitski - 24th Apr 2025
Credits
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Production/Creative
- Director
- Saman Kesh
- Producer
- Nicole Powell
- Production Company
- 42 Branded
- Executive Producer
- Otis Bell
- Executive Producer
- Clancie Brennan
- Production Manager
- Guy Fuhrer
- 1st AD
- James Amos
Camera
- Director of Photography
- Kaname Onoyama
Art
- Production designer
- Ricky Eyres
Wardrobe
- Stylist
- Liberty Shaw
- Wardrobe
- Natalie Humphries
Choreography
- Choreographer
- Charlie Mayhew
Casting
- Casting director
- LC
Editorial
- Editor
- Emma Blackman
- Editing company
- Cartel Editorial
Grading
- Colourist
- Luke Morrison
- Colour grade company
- EC
VFX
- Post production company
- Territory Studio
Commission
- Commissioner
- Dan Curwin
- Label
- Atlantic Records
Rob Ulitski - 24th Apr 2025