Jack Lilley explores repression and freedom, in the offbeat promo for MarthaGunn's Holding The Fire.

Tinged with a sense of eerie foreboding. the video tells the story of a woman stuck in a 70s cult whose worship revolves around completing mindless repetitive tasks. She slowly becomes aware that she wants out, and we see her plan her escape and the fallout of her absence. 

Anchored by excellent performances from each member of the band, the concept is pitch-perfect, blending humour, elevated horror and nostalgic naivety.

JACK LILLEY: 

This wanted to feel foreboding, but with a deadpan sense of humour.

"Tonally the video takes a heavy influence from films such as Dogtooth, The Lobster and Parasite - this video wanted to feel slightly foreboding but with a deadpan sense of humour.

"DoP Jamie Harding brought his expertise with normally shooting on 16mm and applied it help make this digitally-shot piece feel as close to the format as possible, through use of cleverly timed zooms and static framed shots. 



"A few days before the shoot one member of the band (Humphrey) had to pull out because his housemate had contracted Covid. Writing him into the video as the non-present spiritual leader actually was the icing on the cake as it really helped to tie the story together."