Brand Film
“Journey” explores the notion of boundless expression, experience, creation and surfing. Shot on location in Mozambique, South Africa, and Swaziland, this experimental short showcases the talents of Cloudy Rhodes, a native Australian returning to her ancestral homeland of South Africa. Developed as part of the launch campaign for Oz-based Tallow, a women’s lifestyle and outerwear brand.
An Immersive Exploration: Journey with Cloudy Rhodes
Journey* takes viewers on an artistic voyage through Mozambique, South Africa, and Swaziland, embracing the essence of boundless expression and exploration. Created for Tallow’s launch campaign, this experimental short captures the talents of Australian native Cloudy Rhodes as she returns to her South African roots. Under the guidance of Tallow’s Shannon Clynes and Ali Mandalis, M. Samuels Media was given creative freedom to capture the distinct experience that is Africa, resulting in a visually stunning piece that highlights the continent’s landscapes, people, and surf culture.
Art Direction and Cinematic Vision
The film’s art direction aimed to channel the beauty and mystique of Africa while weaving in Tallow’s ethos of adventure and self-expression. With an open narrative structure, our direction allowed Rhodes’s personal journey to shape the flow of the film, crafting a story as free and unbounded as the landscapes themselves. Sweeping shots of vast coastlines, intricate natural scenes, and powerful imagery of Africa’s wildlife paint a visual portrait that celebrates both the continent’s diversity and Tallow’s adventurous spirit.
Capturing Africa: Cinematography and Global Location
Our team’s cinematography was focused on capturing the extraordinary beauty of Africa with sensitivity and respect for the land and its people. From the rugged coastlines of Mozambique to the bustling vibrancy of South African cities and the serene landscapes of Swaziland, we worked to showcase the continent’s layers and textures. These global locations were carefully chosen to reflect both Cloudy’s personal journey and Tallow’s connection to nature, femininity, and freedom.
Experimental Sound Design and Editing for a Psychedelic Feel
To bring a dynamic, immersive feel to the film, we used experimental sound design and editing techniques that amplify the raw energy of Africa. Layered audio elements and rhythmic cuts create a psychedelic viewing experience that enhances the visual journey, evoking the sense of limitless exploration central to the narrative. Each edit and sound cue contributes to an experience that’s visceral and surreal, inviting viewers to lose themselves in Africa’s unforgettable essence.
Celebrating Cultural Nuance and the Spirit of Surfing
Journey serves as a tribute to the soulful connection between land, people, and surfing. By blending footage of Cloudy Rhodes’ surfing with shots of local culture, M. Samuels Media created a short that feels both universal and deeply personal. With an open-ended narrative and an organic style, Journey encapsulates Tallow’s values while honoring Africa’s natural beauty, offering a unique cinematic experience that lingers with viewers long after the final frame.
