Ukrainians have contributed to creating yet another award-winning music video.
The video for the song “Clouds” by Belarusian ethno-electronic band Shuma has taken third place in the Best Narrative category at the Berlin Music Video Awards. The award ceremony was held on May 29 in Berlin.
The Ukrainian creative agency Tabasco wrote the script for the video, which focuses on the struggles of LGBT people and their families. The video was filmed by Ukrainian production company The Martini Shot.
“Receiving the award was a recognition of our joint efforts and confirmation of the value of the message that our film conveys,” Svitlana Liagina, the founder of The Martini Shot told the Kyiv Post.
The Berlin Music Video Awards (BMVA) is an international festival which annually celebrates filmmakers from all over the world.
“Clouds” was nominated for Best Narrative along with 10 other videos. By taking third place, the video even beat out world-famous English rock band Muse and their music video for the song “Pressure.”
The music video for “Cruel” by New Zealand dubstep duo MT Eden won first place in the category.
“Clouds” tells the story of a teenage boy who struggles with his identity and feels like a girl rather than a boy. He is misunderstood by his peers and, more importantly, by his own mother. However, she eventually comes to accept his identity and even supports her child through the gender transition process.
The video is based on real events from the life of Belarusian transgender woman Valeriya Shendera. At the end of the longer version of “Clouds,” Shendera says that through all her struggles there has only been one person supporting her: her mother.
“Be super parents for your children. It is very important. We all need support and love,” Shendera says in the video.
Ukrainian creative agency Tabasco wrote the script for the video.
“We are so happy to know that the social project created by a Ukrainian agency gets such high recognition,” Alexander Smirnov, the creative director of Tabasco said in a statement released by the agency.
“The LGBT and anti-bullying topics, which we highlighted together with Shuma, will be raised, despite the censorship (in Belarus),” Smirnov said.
Clouds from The Martini Shot on Vimeo.
Ukrainian production company The Martini Shot filmed “Clouds” in a school and in apartments in Kyiv, as well as at a local film studio over two days in October 2018. The music video was released in November 2018.
The video’s director, Anna Buryachkova, said she shared Tabasco’s happiness to be part of the project.
“I am glad that through music and cinematography we were able to bring such an important message to the whole world,” Buryachkova said in the same statement.
The Berlin Music Video Awards focus on artistry and creativity. The awards’ slogan says: “No matter the language, genre or popularity, BMVA rewards quality, originality, and diversity.”
Ninety-five nominees competed in 13 categories this year, including Best Animation, Best Director, Best Cinematography, and more.
