Stella McCartney Brings Surrealism to the Desert in a New Short Film
Forget Westworld: Stella McCartney is bringing futuristic surrealism to the desert with her latest short film, Eclipse with acclaimed visual director Philippa Price.
Inspired by the equestrian theme in McCartney's latest women’s and men’s collections, the six-minute video is certainly a sight to behold. Price brings her unique vision and print motifs by the 18th century English painter George Stubbs to life in a dystopian, dreamlike western setting – complete with contortionists and vigilante cowgirls.
This marks the second time McCartney has teamed up with Price – Uncanny Valley, the first in their #Stellaby video series, was revealed last December. Below, Price reveals more about Eclipse's concept and her own creative process.
"A total eclipse is a mystery and sublime experience that has perplexed humans for thousands of years. Eclipses have influenced battles, altered thought, inspired art, and to me is a strong symbol of our times." – Philippa Price
What does 'Eclipse' mean in this context?
An eclipse is defined as “an obscuring of the light from one celestial body by the passage of another between it and the observer.” In the context of this film, on the most literal level, “The Eclipse” speaks to the idea of one character coming in between and obscuring the light shared by two other characters. But an eclipse is seemingly random. There is no motive behind it. Three celestial bodies existing in their own respective orbits happen to cross paths, causing a moment of absolute darkness. Yet in this moment of darkness, unseen truths are unveiled: while one source of light is concealed, previously invisible lights are revealed.
A total eclipse is a mystery and sublime experience that has perplexed humans for thousands of years. Eclipses have influenced battles, altered thought, inspired art, and to me is a strong symbol of our times.
Hidden symbolism and surrealism often come up in your work. Why is that so?
There is a simple truth in all of my work. You just have to find it. I don’t want the message to sit right on the surface, because that’s not how our world operates. We live in a time where nothing is actually as it seems. I hope that my work inspires people to look beyond the surface. To open their eyes. To search for the deeper truths.
I guess it’s just how I see the world. Dreams and reality are not separated in my mind. Besides normal already exists; normal has already been done. Screw normal!
Watch Eclipse below.
