Ad of the Day: Steve McQueen to rally Greenpeace activists at Glastonbury
The famed Hollywood director lent his touch to the video that features the hit Fleetwood Mac song Don't Stop.
Reimagining the classic song for a new generation, the environmental organization Greenpeace enlisted the expertise of Grammy-winning producer Fraser T Smith and rapper Avelino. It’s a star-studded affair that was executive-produced by Oscar-winning director Steve McQueen and directed by his protege Samona Olanipekun. The short also features actor Will Poulter of Midsommar and Guardians of the Galaxy 3 fame.
In the ad, viewers see a vibrant but unsettling party that’s spinning out of control. Greedy corporations are partying like there’s no tomorrow, and the realization dawns that, if they keep acting like that, there won’t be one.
Advertisement
The song is a call to action for people worried about the future and the state of the planet and a rallying cry for those who dream of a better tomorrow. It will air at Glastonbury Festival’s main stages throughout the weekend.
On the project, Steve McQueen said: "This short film is an arresting look at the state of a world hurtling out of control. I'm so proud to have been involved in this project with Greenpeace and Samona, who's once again shown what a talented writer and director he is,”
“It captures the unease at seeing corporations (especially those of oil and gas) and their enablers, do damage to the environment on our behalf, acting like there's no tomorrow and driving the climate crisis solely for their profit. But we have the collective power to realize a different future. It's imperative that people don't forget, tomorrow is promised to no one."
Advertisement
Areeba Hamid, executive director of Greenpeace UK, added: “When you look at the state of the world that older generations have wrought, oil companies partying like there’s no tomorrow, politicians watching as our house is on fire, it can feel overwhelming. But awareness and resolve to save our planet, to save lives and livelihoods, has never been stronger.
"People all over the world are incredibly worried about their future, but they hold enormous power. This film is a message of hope: that demanding a better tomorrow is not only possible but critical. We’re so proud of this incredible collaboration, to get to work with such a talented and passionate group to reimagine Fleetwood Mac's iconic Don’t Stop and bring the song to a new generation.”
Suggested newsletters for you
Credits
Client: Greenpeace
Campaign: Don’t Stop
Creative: Mother
Strategy: Mother
Track by: Christine McVie / Universal Music Publishing Group
Produced by: Fraser T. Smith
Original rap verses: Avelino
Performed by: Future Utopia X Avelino X Tomorrrow’s Warriors
Mixed by: Scott Barnett
Mastered by: Stuart Hawkes at Metropolis
Engineered by: Scott Barnett and Isabel Gracefield
Drum programming by: Fraser T. Smith
Bass programming by: Fraser T. Smith
Assisted by: Gili Portal and Liam Hebb
Distributed by: 70Hz Recordings Ltd via. The Orchard.
With thanks to: Lucy Cunningham, Sarah Thorneycroft-Smith, Holly Sheppard, Jack Blurton and Jordan Lolomari.
Recorded at: RAK Studios and Utopia Studios
Music Supervision and Consultancy: Ed Bailie and Seb Whyte / Leland Music
Music Marketing: Olivia Hobbs, Breyner Baptista and Clare Sanders-Wright / Blackstar Agency
Lead Vocals: Avelino, Molly J & Fraser T. Smith , Bass Guitar - Ben Epstein, Drums: Anthony ‘Sweetstix’ Lewis , Keys: Emily Tran , Tenor Sax: Denys Baptiste, Trumpets: Becca Toft & Sheila Maurice-Grey, Trombones: Anoushka Nanguy & Chris-Stephane Boizi , Bass Trombone: Nathaniel Cross, Tuba: Hanna Mbuya
House Gospel Choir: Natalie Maddix (Choir Director), Lizzie Jennings, Monique Meade, Cartell Green Brown, CJ Idos, Harrsn Atlee, ZaZa Lewis-Wright, Roslyn Adonteng]
With thanks to: Benjamin Kwasi Burrell, Janine Irons, Fish Krish, Gabriel Starkey and Patricia Pascal
Film Production: Lammas Park
Director: Samona Olanipekun
Executive Producers: Steve McQueen, Bona Orakwue, Anna Smith Tenser
Producer: George Telfer
Production Manager: Chanel Parkinson
DOP: Annika Summerson
Production Designer: Jade Adeyemi
Costume Designer: Verity May Lane
Make-Up Designer: Maya Man
Hair Designer: Kreszend Sackey
Choreographer: Liara Barussi
Casting: Coralie Rose / Road Casting
Editor: Jack Williams / The Assembly Rooms, produced by Phoebe Armstrong-Beaver
Sound Designer: Jack Sedgwick / King Lear, produced by Suzy Macgregor
Colourist and VFX: George Kyraicou and Mark Stannard / Black Kite Studios, produced by Jade Denne
Tomorrow's Warriors Music Video Cast: Cassius Cobbson – Drums, Emily Tran – Keyboard, Tami Adebanjo – Bass, Shanise Hall – Trumpet, David Kayode – Saxophone, Kyle Osborne – Vocals and Introductory speech
Epilogue: Written by Scroobius Pip in collaboration with Greenpeace, performed by Lilli Chin
Special Featured Performance: Will Poulter
Interested in creative campaigns? Check out our Ad of the Day and the Best Ads of the Week sections.