Johan Stahl's Epic Music Video Crystalizes '80s Nostalgia

Nov. 19, 2024

REVERSE director Johan Stahl helmed an epic sci-fi music video for "Stay Forever," the lead single from his and drummer Anton Eger’s band, Kill Screen Music, and their new album, USTHEBROKENHOUSES.

An homage to classic ‘80s-era sci-fi and music videos, the video tells the tale of a task force on a mission to retrieve a crystal that will save the planet. Amidst encounters with monsters, drones, and supernatural events, a subtle love story unfolds, culminating in a tragic twist. 

Stahl, who is represented by REVERSE in the US and Mad Cow in the UK remarked:

“The story is metaphorical on several levels. As a love story, what they're searching for breaks them apart. On the other hand, it’s an allegory for Mother Earth, as the subtext suggests that saving her sometimes feels unattainable, no matter how close we get.” 

 

The video features breathtaking VFX and CG by Reniform, showcasing a giant, 16-tentacled monster, gun lasers, explosions, and a motion graphics interface of a recon drone zeroing in on “The Salvix Crystal” – all imbued with ‘80s awesomeness. Interwoven into the cosmic journey are holograms of the band performing, reminiscent of scenes from old sci-fi movies. 

Stahl added:

“This music video is an homage to the cinematic techniques of the movies and music videos we loved growing up. It was fun mashing up modern VFX techniques with analog and practical effects where possible to pay respect to the old way of doing things. Sergiu Negulici and Adriana Ionica from Reniform are super-skilled artists who truly brought the creep factor to render the monster exactly as I envisioned.” 

 

Locations in Stahl’s native Denmark were equally integral to creating the sci-fi world. For the cave shoot, his small production crew traveled to Mønsted Kalkgruber, Denmark’s largest limestone mine. 

Stahl remarked:

“I never knew that something so otherworldly existed in our little fairytale country, Denmark. Today, a part of it is used to grow a special cheese because of the perfect humidity. I thought, ‘How cool would it be to create a sci-fi world inside this peculiar landmark?’ And the caves were the perfect location not only for the sci-fi concept and aesthetic of the video but also for our production needs, working with a small budget.” 

 

Narratively speaking, Stahl aimed to establish intrigue and tension in the early scenes, engaging the audience through the mystery of the unseen. The reveal of the monster is subtle yet jarring, with a grotesque eyeball emerging from the darkness. As the explorers flee, the pace intensifies, enhanced by a chaotic editing style with frame glitches, evoking fear and uncertainty.  Pursued by the monster, the man gets his head popped while the woman slips back into darkness, surrendering to her fate of staying in the cave forever. 

Stahl concluded:

“This was an epic passion project that pooled talent and resources across Europe and the US. Between the big-budget cameras and light packages to the army of artists who cinematically elevated this music video in every detail, we pulled off something truly ambitious and magical together. I am beyond grateful to everyone who generously contributed, especially Thibaut Estellon, Founder/EP at REVERSE, which represents me stateside and basically funded this whole project.”