Exploring the Intentions Behind Ebeneza Blanche’s Mise-en-Scène
Studio RM, the creative studio specialising in colour grading and post production across film, print, and digital, is partnering with Little Black Book to sponsor The Directors channel. It’s a space for celebrating directors who create aesthetically beautiful and nuanced imagery, the creative potential of technology, and diving into the trends in contemporary culture which these visionary minds so often spark.
In this series, we’ll be highlighting directors who have a distinctive creative voice, and who are championing new and exciting visual styles through fashion, music, and culture. In today's edition, SMUGGLER’s multidisciplinary talent, Ebeneza Blanche, is in the hot seat.
The award-winning filmmaker grew up against an intercontinental backdrop of Ghanaian, Dutch and British traditions, and faultlessly channels his experiences of these colourful and contrasting worlds through his work. In 2022, the director delivered a captivating and impeccably stylish 15 minute campaign film for Adidas titled, The Mathlete, which captured the nostalgic child-like memories of his time at boarding school in Ghana. Other well-known projects from his canon of work include music videos for Little Simz, Skepta and Joy Crookes, as well as branded partnerships with Gucci, PUMA and ELLE.
Name: Ebeneza Blanche
Location: London
Repped by: SMUGGLER
LBB> Who would you say is your creative hero? In what ways have they influenced your creative voice and stylistic approach?
Ebeneza> I’m a big fan of Stanley Kubrick. The ways he used semiotics in his films is phenomenal. I take inspiration in that and always try to dive in deeper when it comes to my mise en scene.
LBB> The style of a film changes brief by brief, but how would you underpin your distinct storytelling style? Are there certain factors that you can pinpoint as a signature?
I always try to play with tension and suspense to keep the viewer engaged with what I put on screen. Everything you see is intentional and I tend to craft this consistently throughout my films.
Photo credit: Juliette Duffy
LBB> What type of work do you find yourself gravitating towards, and why?
Ebeneza> I gravitate towards projects that take me to my motherland or anywhere else in the world where I can learn about people’s culture, their traditions and art.
LBB> Looking back over your work, what project has taught you the most about directing? How did this project help you hone your skills?
Ebeneza> It’s always the new spaces you venture into because when you become good at something you start to think you have it all figured out. But that’s definitely not the case. There is always something to learn and, being new to the commercial new space, I am really wanting to learn more.
LBB> You have partnered with big global brands like Gucci and Adidas to create short films that simultaneously blur the lines of branded content and cinematic storytelling. How do you approach creating treatments for these types of projects?
Ebeneza> I always try to stay true to my purpose and keep my signature with every project I take on because that’s what makes it me.
LBB> The New Originals SS22 brand film, ‘Mathlete’, is inspired by your own personal experience of boarding school in Ghana. Which shots are personal favourites for you?
Ebeneza> I was just happy that we managed to make the story fit in the 15 minutes we were given. My favourite scene is when the house master almost catches the students.
LBB> The music video for ‘Point and Kill’ is a masterclass in multiculturalism, effortlessly blending the nuances of Nigerian pride with retro 60’s fashion and funk, and the flawless cadence of Simz’ lyrical prowess. What initial ideas did you have for this music video and how closely do they resemble the finished film?
Ebeneza> I was influenced heavily by the era African countries got their independence. The parties were extravagant and I wanted to draw inspiration from that. I also wanted to shine a light on SARS (the Special Anti-Robbery Squad) since that happened not too long after we went to Nigeria to shoot this music video. It was also important to place Little Simz in the centre of it all, as a strong and fearless female protagonist.
LBB> What are you most excited about in the world of film craft in 2023 and beyond?
Ebeneza> I’m most excited about making more cool stuff and continuing to explore different cultures.
