Martin de Thurah

For the past couple weeks I have been intensely interested with the work of Danish director Martin de Thurah. He might be more well know for his directing of music video's of artists Kanye West, "Flashing Lights," Will Young, "Changes," Fever Ray, "When I Grow Up," Carpark North, "Human," Mew's, "Repeaterbeater, Beach, & "Introducing Place Players," and Royksopp, "What Else Is There?" and others.

The way he intwines fantasy and reality is very forward but subtle in a way one does not question why but accept what they are perceiving as it is, much like the literary aesthetic style of Magical Realism like that used by author Garcia Marquez.

"[Magical realism is] what happens when a highly detailed, realistic setting is invaded by something too strange to believe." - Matthew Strecher

Other projects and video's he's worked on like commercials for Ikea & CPH:DOX*. The thing that blows me away with his work is how mixed the aesthetic is but in a wonderfully cohesive manner. When I first saw his commercial for CPH:DOX* "Hare" it made me so happy to see the use of handheld video juxtaposed with CG but in a way that I do not question what is happening but am only interested in what it is I am seeing...and wanting to believe it.

Two short films he has directed, Young Man Falling (2007) & We Who Stayed Behind (2008) both deal with adolescence & the pains of growing up. This theme of youth & innocence pitted up against violence & pain is something that accrues in his work a lot, there are dark undertones of the brutal aspects of reality but not without glimpses of hope of the little things in life...like the tenderness shared between children, or the first experiences of love. There is a way his work enables one to want to drift off into the land he has created without fearing what would happen, to let go, then reminded there are still consequences in that freedom.

If anyone can find access to We Who Stayed Behind please let me know. I have looked everywhere for it and cannot find it anywhere. If I'm not mistaken it was in 2008-9 when it was released in Denmark and doubt it has been released or shown in the U.S. yet....but I would love to be wrong and find it somewhere.

The short Young Man Falling can be viewed on YouTube not in the best quality but its nice to be able to view it none the less.

YOUNG MAN FALLING TRAILER from martin de thurah on Vimeo.

WE WHO STAYED BEHIND trailer from martin de thurah on Vimeo.