Directing Duo BLOK Debut Hard-Hitting Knife Crime Short for Novelist

No Weapons is the hard-hitting new film from grime artist Novelist, who recently got a ‘shout out’ from Stormzy at Glastonbury. The film is a step away from their comedy led, commercial work and depicts the devastating impact that gun and knife-crime can have on the people involved and the community around them. 

The video was written, directed and shot by filmmaking duo, BLOK. Paul Casey and Richard Jobson (BLOK) took time away from making commercials to focus on this incredibly impactful and emotional film, as it carries such an important and relevant message. BLOK explain: “When Novelist approached us to work on the promo for No Weapons, we saw a great opportunity to tell a powerful and important message at a time where it has never been more pertinent. Rather than a music promo, we wanted to make a short film with Novelist’s music as the soundtrack.”

After their production partner pulled out at the last minute, the pair decided to put their previous experience in the television industry to work and not only direct and shoot the film, but produce it too.

Following Kasey McKellar (Top Boy 2) as Dylan, we watch his life-shattering story unfold as he is exposed to a gun through a close friend, before ultimately being killed by his own weapon. 

As well as using their regular commercial crew on the six-day shoot, BLOK reached out to The Prince’s Trust to offer work placements to young people who have been personally affected by weapons violence and who wanted to get into the film industry but didn’t know how.

“I have been around gun and knife crime and have been affected by it personally. The film has a very important message to spread, and has been expressed so artistically that hopefully it can act as a deterrent in some way,” said Shanelle, a Prince’s Trust Volunteer.

The track and film are very personal to Novelist, as he knows the effects of weapons violence all too well. “I trusted BLOK to create a visual representation of No Weapons and to tell the common story of war on the streets of London and the reality that death is often as a result of bad decisions. I was shaken after they showed me the final edit... it’s a truly moving film with a very important and powerful message.”

The film was graded by Mill colourist Alex Gregory who explains: “The aim with the grade was to give the piece a moody and cinematic feel. We wanted to enhance the grittiness of the film as much as possible to further convey the seriousness of the subject matter. It was a pleasure to team up once again with the BLOK team on another seamless and worthwhile project.”

Dark Energy EP, Liz Kessler comments: “We’re very excited to be working with this fresh, talented duo, who can move effortlessly between a hard hitting music video such as this and their commercial work, which shows their innovative flare for humour paired with striking, Wes Anderson inspired art direction. They’re like the Cohen Brothers in waiting and we can’t wait to introduce them to our clients.”

With a combined experience of 18 years in filmmaking and a unique blend of playfulness, humour and oddity, BLOK have completed successful projects for Lucozade Sport, Jamie Oliver, Ribena, Hendrick’s Gin, Deliveroo, Sailor Jerry, Orangina, McDonald’s, Remington, Unilever, BBC, SKY, ITV and Channel 4 to name a few. Their recent work for Hendricks Gin has taken the internet by storm.

To view their reel click here.