The iconic Irish department store, Brown Thomas has rolled out a new brand campaign with a two-minute film called ‘Belong Together’ at its centre.
Directed by Banjoman Films’ director Dermot Malone, the cinematic two-minute film packs an emotive punch, bringing a fresh twist to conventional luxury fashion advertising while marking the retailer’s first foray into the branded content space.
The film maps a romantic journey between two people, beginning with the initial electric meeting of their eyes meeting across the room. But ‘Belong Together’ is also interested in exploring the full breadths of love as their euphoric honeymoon period is inevitably followed by murkier waters. Beautiful dreamlike imagery and a stunning underwater sequence see the couple suspended in the water drifting apart. Ultimately, the ending is hopeful as the couple reunite, teasing a possible reconciliation.
“The brief was to find something that would connect. I immediately knew I wanted to show a love story through all of its seasons, rendered in dream-scape-like visuals and beautiful VFX,” says Dermot Malone.
“With Brown Thomas’ luxury fashion pedigree and the debut of their autumn/winter collection, it was important to weave the clothes into the storytelling in a subtle but effective way. The casting was another crucial factor in making sure the film felt intimate and resonated with the audience. The male protagonist, Sam, is an actor I’ve known from Dublin for years. Interestingly, this was Mary-Kate, the female protagonist’s first time acting. I saw her in a TV interview speaking about the importance of mental health and I reached out to her about working on this project. She doesn’t mind opening herself up or making herself vulnerable and that was key to the performance.
The team at Brown Thomas were very kind, allowing me the freedom to experiment and create the story I had envisioned,” he adds.
CREDITS
Brand: Brown Thomas
Head of Marketing: Ciara Crilly
Production Company – Banjoman Films
Director – Dermot Malone
Story – Dermot Malone
Screenplay – Steve Kenny + Dermot Malone
Producer – Matt D’Arcy
Executive Producer – Pat Hinkson
Executive Producer – Daniel Morris
Production Manager – Al Keegan
Cast: Sam McArdle & Mary-Kate Slattery
Extras: MovieExtras
DOP: Burschi Wojnar
1st AD: Michael Pluck
1st AC: Meagan Spellman
2nd AC: Sarah Dillon
Camera Assistant: Dean Gordon
Art Director: Margot Cullen
Gaffer: Kev Fox
Best Boy: Noel Greene
Key Grip: James Farrell
Electrician: Damian Heffernan
Water FX: Carroll Prop Art
Medic: Andrew Waters
Lighting: Cine Electric
Camera Equipment: Vast Valley
Film Editor: Rob Hegarty
Post Production: Blacksmith VFX
Post Producer: Ashley Goodwin
VFX Supervisor: Danny Morris
Colourist: Mikey Pehanich
Music Supervisor: Jon Jon Mehigan
Music Production: Loud and Clear Music
Song Writer: Turlough Gunawardhana Produced/Mixed: Stuart Gray Vocalist: Fya Fox
Special Thanks: Rachael Malone, Windmill Lane and Dave Quinn, Adare Manor, Dun Laoghaire County Council, Bray Municipal District, Daniel Morris, Charlotte Arnold, Odin Allfather, Jim Corr, Jonathan Carroll, Alan Madden, Leandro Arouca, Kevin Breathnach, Matt Dennis, Paddy Hinkson, Fergal Titley.
