Massive Attack Ask Ed Morris To 'Come Near Me’

The line between ‘music video’ and ‘short film’ is a fuzzy one at the best of times. Unless it’s a 100% performance-based medley or a disconnected series of interpreted images, you’re probably going to find a narrative thread in there somewhere. With his latest vid for Massive Attack, Rattling Stick director Ed Morris manages to tell a haunting, sinister tale that elevates the ‘Come Near Me’ track with confidence - no mean feat considering the group’s iconic video history.

Shot in one day on location in Hove, the focused performances of stars Arta Dobroshi and Jonathan Aris take them on a journey throughout the town in unsettling synchronicity. The video’s confidence is clear from the outset and is highlighted in a particularly audacious moment, cutting the track completely to allow the band’s hot ‘Unfinished Sympathy’ to invade the scene.

We were intrigued by the shoot and its inception, so caught up with former ad-man Morris to grill him about his take on the Attack.

How did you get involved in the project?

I got sent the track which I liked and then I just started to write for it.

Where did the idea of the film come from? Was it a concept you’d had floating around for a while or was it directly influenced by the track?

I thought of it when I listened to the track, I got to the notion of visualising an impass fairly quick.

What were you filmic influences for the vid?

Everything. I looked at a lot of still photographers' work.

With the concept set, how was the prep? Where did you find the locations/actors?

I drove down to Southwick near Hove after I found out Massive liked it. It was weird, I’d never been there before and it was perfect. I went on a hunch and just drove straight in to the location.

What were you looking for in casting? The performances tread a neat line between naturalistic and stylised – was that tough to balance?

I wanted them to do it straight but of course walking backwards straight is a weird thing.

How was the shoot? Was it tough to convince the actors to wade into our less-than-warm sea?

They had wet suits for under their clothes. Arta didn’t use hers she just went straight in. It was very cold.

The film has a standout moment about halfway through when the track cuts out and Massive Attack’s 1991 classic ‘Unfinished Sympathy’ is heard. Where did this moment come from? Did you have to do much to convince the band / label the allow it?

I’ve been meaning to put an old track within a promo for a new track. It just seemed a confident thing for the band to do. It’s a promo within a promo. The French phrase for it is Mise en abyme. A story within a story, Shakespere used it a lot.

Did you have any nerves at referencing ‘Unfinished Sympathy’, given that it is pretty much one of the most iconic music videos of all time?

I knew in the sound mix and edit we could dial it up or down. As it turned out it became a big part of the whole thing. They styling in that scene is very 90’s, the girls hoops, the 90’s pugeot etc. It’s sort of the 90’s showing up in a contemporary promo. It’s playful.

The structure of the film seems very clearly paced. Did anything change in the edit?

The pace is dictated by the track really. In the edit you are trying to merge the two in a way that augments the effect of the music and delivers a clear and enjoyably paced narrative visually. It’s six minuits long. Not easy keeping anyone’s attention for that long.