High Five: The Collision of Difference

W&K was briefed to create a London-centric film for Nike and they really delivered with ‘Nothing Beats a Londoner’, shot on the streets of the capital and starring 258 of its real-life inhabitants - plus a few famous faces. The result is a three-minute film which truly captures what it’s like living here - all the subcultures and differing points of view challenging each other, but supporting each other at the same time. It’s so beautifully produced - every second is perfect. It even features a Morley’s, instantly recognisable to anyone who’s lived south of the river.

This whole EA Sports campaign feels so full of love. The film is beautiful, and testament to the power of working with diverse creatives to tell the stories of their own communities. Even more wonderful is why the film has been made. Not only does it highlight Birmingham’s grassroots Midnight Ramadan League, created so players don’t miss out while they are observing Ramadan, but EA Sports has made the league and some of its players part of the FIFA 21 universe. British Asians are severely underrepresented in the UK’s professional football leagues, what a great way to inspire young footballers to dream of what might be.

Disclosure: 'Qween’s Speech', a film commissioned by Dazed recognising the achievements of LGBTQ+ Britain, happens to have been written by two of the creatives now at Grey London...but it’s on my list because it deserves to be. Starring, among others, Munroe Bergdorf, Sam Smith and Aries Moross, it’s a beautiful celebration of the colour and pride of these communities. And while it lauds the progress that’s been made, including acceptance of the ‘they’ pronoun, it also reveals just how exhausting it is to be forced to fight just to live in your own body.

The original film really changed the game and I love the latest one too - especially Little Simz’ soundtrack. What they’ve managed to do is fantastic, tackling all the things that get in the way of women owning and celebrating their own physicality. It’s such a celebration of bodies, and there’s so much richness in the people who star in the film. 

I wouldn’t be a great creative if I didn’t break the rules, so my fifth choice is just a little further away and it’s here because it’s just so goddamn beautiful and it makes me cry. It’s a film for Posten, the Norwegian postal service, celebrating 50 years since the country decriminalised homosexuality - and wishing everyone a happy Christmas. It not only tells a story of the attraction between two older men (one of whom is the iconic figure of Santa Claus), but brings out the universal emotions of being away from someone you love and shows the importance of human connection. I love it because it’s no mean feat taking an icon like Santa and reimagining him in the real world, and it’s done with such care, warmth and heart.