ROY RAZ

Director Roy Raz has created one of the most mesmerising music videos you’ll ever see 

We first stumbled upon this beautiful piece of work on a Sunday hangover, aimlessly surfing the lunacy waves of Youtube. From the opening image of the drag queen-esque grandmother in a black tutu by the piano we were caught, and the video only went on to new strengths of theatrical and emotional imagery: the bull dykes playing tennis with a human heart, the boys kissing covered with paint, muscle men washing a sports car… We could go on describing it, but it needs to be seen to be appreciated. Set to gay orchestral band The Irrepressibles‘ wonderful song ‘In This Shirt’, the piece is also an allegory for modern gay life and we felt we had to catch up with director Roy Raz to tell us more about his inspiration.

How did you begin directing? Was it a difficult path?
I studied cinema at Tel Aviv university, and from there the path was paved. Before I took the plunge for directing I produced commercials for many years, among them I even worked at an ad agency. But I only recently (two years ago) had the balls to finally start directing.

What are the PAG parties and how are your films connected to them?
PAG parties is a monthly gay night in Tel Aviv, it was created by me and by my partner in crime – Eitan Tal – ten years ago, when we were young and wanted to change the world or at least the Tel Aviv gay nightlife scene, which back then was based mainly on circuit parties. Pag was and still is the naughty kid; more edgy, dirty, a bit alternative, artsy some might even say. PAG started in the electro era, when nights like Nag Nag Nag and Trailer Trash began as well, and the Pag movies were an obvious move a few years afterwards. In those ten years ,we travelled the globe (even twice in London), and the promo movies related to the parties became inseparable. ‘The Lady Is Dead’ is one of them

Where did the idea for ‘The Lady is Dead’ come about? How did you tie it to The Irrepressibles’ music?
To be honest, it started with the music, the images and ideas for the script came only after listening to this amazing song, the rest was easy and one of the best shooting days I ever had. Luckily enough the Irrepressibles really liked the outcome and made it their own later.

Can you tell us a bit more of the thinking behind the mesmerising imagery? Is it an allegory for the gay condition in the modern world?
You can say it’s an allegory, but also I wanted to draw some humour into it, even a bit of parody. I really wanted to make it open to translation, as long as it would stir something in the viewer’s mind. The Lady is Dead is all about the duality between gore and beauty, always a combination I enjoy diving into. But as you noticed it is not free from allegory to modern gay life.

We know you’ve also directed music videos for Monarchy and Dita Von Teese, what’s next for your plans? Any plans for a short or feature film?
My main work is directing commercials, so I’ll mainly be doing that. Regarding some music videos there are a few around the corner: one in particular I’m waiting for, but sadly can’t elaborate right now.

And finally, where would you ideally be in five years’ time?
I’ve been staring at the blank page for thirty mins thinking about it… I have no freaking idea. But I guess the main goal is to move to London now: anyone have a cool flat to rent? 😉

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