Juan Antonio Bayona, currently acclaimed for his latest hit on Netflix, The Snow Society, is at the peak of his film career. However, few know the beginnings of the Spanish director, where he immersed himself in the music industry directing video clips, among them, those of Camela.
His foray into the world of music dates back more than 20 years, when Bayona, young and full of creativity, directed video clips for artists such as OBK, Raphael, Nena Daconte and, surprisingly, for the popular group Camela. This little-known fact about his resume, which he commented in an interview for Fotogramas, has left many surprised, but according to the filmmaker, those video clips were a “tremendous school.”
“Each video clip was a genre, a ‘little movie’ where what I did was have the excuse to film and, above all, be able to try things on a technical level. I had a great time, it was a very fun time,” shared the Catalan. One of Bayona’s most notable video clips for Camela was When Love Sails, a six-minute Western with an elaborate plot and careful technical production.
As Bayona explained, the original idea of ??Dioni, a member of Camela, was to make a movie about ships and pirates, but given the difficulty and cost of the project, they opted for a love triangle in the West. Despite initial doubts, the result was a fun shoot full of laughter, capturing the unique essence of Camela’s lyrics.
In addition to his collaboration with Camela, Bayona left his mark in the world of music with other artists. She directed the music videos Maldito Duende, by Raphael, and Frente a Frente by Bunbury. Both productions showcased the Catalan’s ability to tell emotional stories and his unique visual approach.
In addition, they were also the springboard to the filmmaker’s success, since three years after filming the video for Camela, he directed his debut feature, El Orfanato. From there he began to achieve international successes such as The Impossible, A Monster Comes to See Me and Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom.
The Catalan, who has accumulated 13 nominations at the Goya Awards with his latest work, The Snow Society, which is a pre-candidate for the Oscar for best international film, fondly remembers his time in music. Although distant from the monsters and dinosaurs that characterize his most recent projects, those video clips with Camela remain an endearing part of J.A.’s eclectic career. Bayonne.
