A ‘Beautiful Life’ Flashes before Our Eyes in Musician Michael Kiwanuka’s Powerful Promo

SMUGGLER director Phillip Youmans’ newest music video 'Beautiful Life’ for Michael Kiwanuka sets a game of Russian roulette as the backdrop of Kiwanuka’s emotive track. Exploring the phenomenon of DMT, Youmans interweaves the perspectives of four teenagers, each experiencing their life flash before their eyes before pulling the trigger. 

Shot on 16mm, Youmans’ raw immersive approach creates both bold, dynamic and claustrophobic scenes, while the kinetic camera during each flashback brings a nostalgic and alive feel. Through striking storytelling carried by authentic performances from the nuanced and diverse cast, Phillip Youmans entwines his craft and the powerful single from Kiwanuka into a matter of life and death celebrating the real strength in the human spirit.   

Most known for his award-winning debut feature BURNING CANE, Youmans has emerged as a singular talent and one of the most exciting new voices in film. Following his music video ‘Interlude (Loving The People)’ for Michael Kiwanuka, Philip Youmans continues his collaboration with the Mercury Prize-winning artist with ‘Beautiful Life’.  

Philip Youmans comments: “This story is a cautionary tale about our nation’s easy access to, and fascination with, guns. We follow teenagers playing Russian roulette with a parent’s revolver. As each player holds the gun up to their temple, their lives flash before their eyes. When we die, our bodies release DMT; as the chemical fills our bloodstream, it’s said that a person experiences their life flashing before their eyes. So close to their possible death, I wanted to explore these characters through their memories. With each pull of the trigger, the chance of death rises and each player deals with varying levels of fear. Overconfidence and recklessness underline the core themes of this film: life is beautiful and precious, and conformity and exhibitionism can be deadly. Though they’re fearful, they pull the trigger anyway, bowing to the pressure of the moment.”