Journey Through Grief and Acceptance in Isla Greenwood's Dream Like Dance Film

PRETTYBIRD director Elliott Gonzo has directed Isla Greenwood in ‘Earthdog’, a dream-like dance film. ‘Earthdog’ is a creative collaboration with Isla Greenwood, and Elliot’s visualisation of an emotional journey navigating loss and grief. A balletic ode to loss, ‘Earthdog’ was choreographed by Joshua James Smith who is also one of the performers. Elliot’s skilful direction fits perfectly with the dreamy, melancholy of the song.

Director Elliott Gonzo says, "Earthdog' is a journey through grief and acceptance, set in a dream-like forest and fairground that reflects the protagonist's turbulent emotions. We wanted to delve into the solitary process of grappling with the loss of a loved one while capturing the profound interplay between memory and absence. We aimed to craft a dance piece that evokes the path to acceptance, offering a universal meditation on the theme of loss."

Isla Greenwood explains, “Earthdog is a meditation on getting out. Following the story of two people simultaneously together and alone it toys with ideas of loss, change and the need to escape - from ourselves, from each other, or from situations we have become overwhelmingly entangled in. It follows the nuance of this particularly human experience of dancing between longing and letting go and is an open letter to those who have known the complex web of love, loss and grief.”

Elliott Gonzo’s filmmaking approach delves into the intricacies of human emotion, crafting captivating alternate worlds and realities, seamlessly blending the fantastical with deep emotive narratives. His unique filmmaking approach permeates his entire body of work, establishing a distinctive style marked by subtle surrealism and magical storytelling.

Gonzo’s latest music video clients include; Meduza (nominated for a UKMVA award); Wargasm; Enter Shikari; and Nothing But Thieves. He has also directed content for clients including; Sony, Polydor, Tate Modern, Red Bull, Nowness, Dazed, NICCE, Ciroc, and Redbull. Gonzo has recently completed his latest short - ‘Hard Times’ - with Olivier-Awards winning ‘Top Boy’ writer Elliot Warren. His work has been featured in Dazed/Nowness, It’s Nice That, Another Man, Booooooom, Directors Notes, 1.4, and Directors Library, including a UKMVA nomination in 2022, as well as competing at BAFTA qualifying festivals and winning awards around the world.