The Work that Made Me: David Findlay
Raised in Quebec City, snowboarder-turned filmmaker David Findlay derives his directorial and creative style from the exploration of human relationships and experiences. His diverse body of work covers short films, branded content, commercials and music videos, and he was recently awarded the title of Vimeo Breakout Creator of the Year in 2022, as well as earning a Silver in the 2023 Young Director’s Awards.
After the success of his short film 'Lay Me By the Shore’, in 2022 - which earned him a Cannes Young Directors Award - he has since triumphed with the music video for 'Leaning into Your Palms', by Austyn Gillette. Featuring Austyn himself and Agathe Rousselle ('Titane') the artful film uses a timeline of snapshots to depict a poignant sibling relationship. This project exemplifies the cinematic, meditative quality that David brings to each project - his signature style of powerful intimacy and interpersonal connection that plays at the intersection of fiction and reality.
Now a director at Toronto-based production company, Radke, his uncanny ability to capture those raw, intricate emotions that define what it means to be human consistently proves himself as a filmmaker to watch. Speaking to LBB, he discusses his favourite and most formative projects so far, as well as the work that inspires him and has taught him valuable lessons.
The ad or music video from my childhood that stays with me…
David> 'Californication' by Red Hot Chili Peppers. It just still haunts me, in a good way, and in a bad way - everything. In a way, maybe it just reminds me how a significant piece can resonate with you and how the context in which you consume it not only stays with you forever but informs how you interpret it.
The piece that made me want to get into the industry…
David> 'Afterbang' by Robot Food. I consider myself a snowboard film scholar, and this one changed everything. To this day, it reminds me never to adhere too closely to format or genre conventions and codes - to always push the elasticity of a given film and challenge its expected tropes within the area it is meant to sit in.
The creative work that I keep revisiting…
David> 'La Haine' by Matthieu Kassovitz. Mostly because it’s the first film I saw, a long time ago, where I clued in on what a director did – that there was someone orchestrating it all. And after having seen it so many times, it still surprises and amazes me.
My first professional project…
David> My first commissioned work was a PSA for Quebec-based charity, Laura Lémerveil. The film is a tender and human account of Victor and his non-verbal, wheelchair-bound daughter Annie, and the profound effect her arrival in the world has had on him, as well as how the Laura Lémerveil organisation was able to help him not just manage the enormous task, but come to find the beauty in it.
The piece of work that still makes me jealous…
David> Hedvig - 'Stolen Bike' by Matias & Mathias. I wish every ad was this simple, clever, fun and well made.
The creative project that changed my career…
David> It's hard to name one game changer. I feel my career has been a slow and steady path. There was never one piece that sort of 'unlocked' anything. But I can say that 'You Know Where You Belong' was my first piece of work, four years ago, that I could look at and feel like it was 'me' - something I felt was unique and the beginning of a direction I wanted to take my work in.
The work that I’m proudest of…
David> 'Lay Me by the Shore' has got to be it. I've just never worked so hard on anything in my life.
I was involved in this and it makes me cringe…
David> Oh, we don't talk about those...
The recent project I was involved in that excited me the most…
David> My music video 'Leaning into your Palms' for Austyn Gillette, starring Agathe Rousselle. This felt very much within my realm but it was nice to push into a more surreal territory, which was new for me. I couldn't be happier with the result.
