SpecialGuest Creates Dynamic Dance Film for Fashion Brand rag & bone

rag & bone has launched a new film entitled “Why Can’t We Get Along”, starring Ansel Elgort and Kate Mara.

The new short film, which was shot in one day, features an eclectic mix of talent from the worlds of cinematography, music, choreography, dance, and film. Alongside Elgort and Mara, rag & bone tapped eight members of the American Ballet Theater, three HipLet Ballerinas, YouTube sensation Kandi Reign, and three members of Bulletrun Parkour. 

Benjamin Millepied co-directed the new rag & bone Films production alongside Aaron Duffy and Bob Partington as well as celebrated cinematographer Darius Khondji to explore the medium of film while shifting perspectives for the viewer. rag & bone partnered with communication and arts company, SpecialGuest to develop the concept. “Why Can’t We Get Along” is a visual experiment and a metaphor which illustrates why seeing the world from different perspectives can often be difficult. The track overlay, produced exclusively for rag & bone by Thom Yorke creates a feeling of friction, which is paralleled by the movement of the cast of characters. 

Khondji worked closely with camera rig veteran, Tony Hill to deliver a film which seamlessly choreographs not only the dancers and actors featured, but also the cameras used. Shot on the Arri Alexa Mini, the film features different points of view from the subjects through the use of five official rigs; made up of three originals and two that were by Tony Hill’s innovative designs, dating back to the 1970’s. Iphone footage shot by Ansel Elgort, also makes a surprise “cameo rig”, featuring Kandi Reign.

In keeping with rag & bone’s approach to content creation, this new production is a fusion of some of the world’s most groundbreaking talent.  From scene to scene, the viewer is transported from seeing the world through a “traditional” vantage point, to seeing it from an alternative one. Through this distinct approach to storytelling, “Why Can’t We Get Along” aims to create a dialogue about perspective and visual experimentation. 

 

All clothing worn in the film is from the rag & bone SS18 collection, which is due to hit stores in February 2018. “Why Can’t We Get Along” will be released on rag-bone.com on February 8th, 2018.

Watch the behind-the-scenes film here: