08. 08. 2023
“I believe that the best films and commercials leave you
with a lasting impression long after you have finished watching them”
electriclime° are delighted to have added talented filmmaker Emile Rafael to their director roster.
The Prague-raised director and artist will be represented exclusively in the MENA and APAC regions.
Having trained as a cinematographer, made the move to directing by creating dynamic videos for the likes of Katy B, X Ambassadors, Jamie N Commons, and Stubborn Heart.
Meanwhile, In the commercial space Emile has worked for clients such as Jaguar, Rolls Royce, Xiaomi and Skoda, along with many more.
Check out our chat with Emile below.
How did you get started in the industry?
Growing up in Prague in a very bohemian way, I was always interested in art in all its forms and tried my hand at many different things. I didn’t know exactly what to do, but I knew I had a lot of things to express that way. One day I stumbled upon a film set in the city centre. I was amazed by the beauty of the set and the number of people working together to create something magical. I couldn’t believe that people did that for a living.
In that moment, I also realised that filmmaking is the ultimate art form. It combines so many forms, such as painting, photography, music, and fine art. It felt like the perfect way to combine all of my diverse interests.
I studied cinematography in film school, but I couldn’t handle directors. So, I decided to try and become a director myself. It all started with music videos really and this endless will to make it through and make things happen. Gradually the budgets grew and the projects became bigger.
Where do you find your inspiration from?
To be honest, I draw more inspiration from the art world than from other films. I believe that those influences from moving pictures will inevitably seep in, but it is fascinating to look at other mediums to see how they achieve certain things and give you a feeling, and then try to bring that into the film world.
What do you love about the filmmaking process?
I enjoy working with so many people, and I believe that instant friendships are formed when you work together in such an intense environment. It is obvious to say, but the collaborative aspect of it brings me a great deal of pleasure. I get a lot of energy from other people, and it quickly becomes a very electric atmosphere when you are working together to create something exceptional for the screen.
What type of piece are you most drawn to when picking a project?
I believe that the best films and commercials leave you with a lasting impression long after you have finished watching them. This is what makes the best, most memorable pieces you have seen or that have even somehow changed your worldview. If I sense that there is an opportunity to do that, I am very open-minded to what that project actually is.
Why are you excited about joining electriclime°?
I feel like I have only scratched the surface of electriclime°’s part of the world and landscape, and I believe it will provide me with a lot of inspiration. I am ready to dive in.
Is there an area of filmmaking you’d like to explore/excites you for the future?
I started my career in narrative work, but my passion for creating art on screen led me in a visual direction. Now that I feel like I have achieved that, I am confident that I can combine visual beauty and storytelling to reach the pinnacle of my career.
I have also been working on a lot of films with choreography lately, as I believe that dance is an excellent way to express emotion on screen. Pushing the human body in that way, aided by filming techniques, creates something that is very compelling. When I see an intense dance, my whole body feels it as it almost reacts to the energy that a dancer is producing.
What’s next for Emile Rafael?
I am making significant progress on my TV show I have been writing and developing over the last few years. Hopefully it will be time to shoot a pilot soon.
I am also very excited about my music project called SUPERMODEL, for which I am working on music videos and visuals as well. You can give it a spin here.
Check out Emile’s work here.
LOCATION | PRAGUE
TIME | 12:44
50.0755° N, 14.4378° E
