"Funky electronic act, The Kiffness, approached us to do something a little different. Dave wanted to do a one-take video, and we pitched him the idea of focusing on the LGBT community through drag performances, lip-synching, and choreographed dancing. With drag queen Manila Von Teez and her team, we found something truly special,” says director Quinton Lavery.
The video showcases Von Teez and her backup dancers coming down a street in De Waterkant, the LGBT hub of Cape Town, as she lip syncs to the song. Manila's two wardrobe changes were filmed in slow motion, adding to the aesthetic of the video.
The filming of the video took place on the same day news was released of the Orlando shootings, a violent attack on the very community being celebrated in the video. The team felt it was only right to dedicate the video to the victims.
“We hope that the message we were sending contributes to increased acceptance, positivity, change, and support," adds Lavery.
The video has since gone on to win a Special Mention Award at the India Music Video Awards and will be screening at upcoming film festivals in the United States and Germany. The video was described by music blog Texx and The City as one of the Top 10 Music Videos of 2016, and its acclaim further justified by a recent SAMA nomination for Video of the Year.
This year's SAMA Awards takes place at Sun City on Friday, 26 May and Saturday, 27 May. Lavery will be in attendance representing The Kiffness and production company Passing Trains.
You can watch The Kiffness' music video here.
For more information, visit www.passingtrains.co.za.