NERVIO, the visionary director duo known for their experimental approach to cinematic storytelling, has partnered with UNCLE to bring their creative world to London’s streets. This collaboration has seen a series of posters being placed around the city, drawing the public into NERVIO’s unique universe. This activation aimed to engage Londoners with their thought-provoking themes of identity and transformation, bringing their art directly to the urban landscape. The campaign is not only a visual experience but a chance for the community to connect with the dynamic storytelling that NERVIO is known for.
At the heart of this collaboration is NERVIO’s latest film, a captivating exploration of identity, consciousness, and the boundaries of reality. Set in a fictional research lab, the film delves into the lives of individuals whose very essence is altered as they are transported into new, surreal realms. NERVIO’s approach is unflinching and raw, capturing the emotional intensity of their characters as they undergo profound transformations. This project marks a pivotal moment in their journey, as it ties together their past works and sets the stage for the next phase of their cinematic explorations.
In this interview, NERVIO opens up about the inspirations behind their film, the creative process, and the themes they’re most passionate about exploring. From their unique blend of fashion, art, and film to the immersive techniques they employ, NERVIO discusses what it means to craft a narrative that is both visually stunning and intellectually engaging. As their work continues to evolve, the duo shares insights into what’s to come, offering a glimpse into the future of their experimental storytelling.
CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT THE FOUNDING OF NERVIO? WHAT INSPIRED YOU BOTH TO CREATE THIS DIRECTOR DUO?
NERVIO was born from our shared passion for visual experimentation and storytelling. We envisioned a space where our diverse backgrounds in moving image and fashion could come together. NERVIO is more than just a director duo. It’s a creative lab where ideas are transformed into surreal, thought-provoking narratives. It’s a dynamic space for exploring themes like identity and consciousness through cinematic experiences, while fostering exciting collaborations with other creatives we’ve connected with over the years, sparking new possibilities.
NERVIO MERGES EXPERIMENTAL CINEMA WITH IMMERSIVE STORYTELLING. HOW DID YOU DEVELOP THIS APPROACH, AND WHAT DOES IT ALLOW YOU TO EXPRESS THAT TRADITIONAL FORMATS MIGHT NOT?
As a director duo, we are constantly exploring unconventional techniques, whether through mixed media, abstract imagery, or surreal sound design that tap into emotions and experiences not easily conveyed through traditional formats. For us, storytelling isn’t just about presenting a narrative, it’s about crafting an experience that pulls viewers into another dimension. This creative freedom allows us to engage audiences on a more visceral level, inviting them to experience our films as something transformative and unfiltered.
HOW HAS YOUR EXPERIENCE IN VISUAL CULTURE, FASHION, AND ART INFLUENCED NERVIO’S AESTHETIC AND THEMATIC FOCUS?
Our backgrounds in fashion, art, and visual culture have greatly shaped NERVIO’s aesthetic. Manuel’s moving image approach and Celia’s expertise as a creative director and stylist have allowed us to craft a signature visual language. We draw from diverse influences, everything from symbolism in art, high fashion, indie movies and experimental techniques, to create environments that resonate across our projects in film, fashion, music, and more.
TELL US ABOUT YOUR FILM.
Our film, NERVIO, serves as the narrative genesis for our characters and themes in both past and future projects. Set within the fictional “Existence Integration Program,” it introduces NERVIO as a research lab that hacks into the nervous systems of its subjects, reconfiguring and exporting them into other realms that transcend the ordinary, becoming conduits in NERVIO’s imaginarium.
In the film, we aimed to capture the moment their identities are altered, focusing on their raw reactions in front of the camera as they experience the transformation. The story builds up to the pivotal moment when our characters are about to step into these new realms, offering a glimpse into the worlds we plan to explore in future films.
WHAT WAS THE INSPIRATION FOR IT?
We envisioned NERVIO as a journey through interconnected ideas and worlds, inspired by the concept of quantum realities. The Existence Integration Program acts as the catalyst that creates our characters, connecting them across films, from past works like Elizabeth and An Ode to Teenagehood to those we envision for the future. This program bridges realities, allowing our characters to evolve and move through different dimensions, creating a cohesive yet open-ended universe.
HOW DO YOU THINK AUDIENCES WILL CONNECT WITH THEM?
With an open-ended narrative, we’re inviting audiences into a world that feels like the beginning of something larger. Rather than giving clear answers, we’re creating a portal. An introduction to a journey that will continue to unfold.
This approach encourages viewers to engage with the characters and the universe as a mystery, sparking curiosity and inviting them to imagine what comes next. It’s more about setting the stage for an ongoing exploration than concluding a single story.
YOU MENTIONED THAT THE FILM IS “VISUALLY IMMERSIVE AND SUBTLY UNSETTLING.” WHAT TECHNIQUES OR ELEMENTS DID YOU USE TO CREATE THIS UNIQUE ATMOSPHERE?
We used contrasting lighting, dynamic soundscapes, and surreal imagery to craft an environment that feels both alluring and slightly disorienting. The combination of shadow, abstract sound, and vivid color contributes to an atmosphere that is hypnotic yet unsettling, mirroring the film’s theme of reconfiguration and transformation.
HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT THE POSITIVE RESPONSE YOU HAVE RECEIVED SO FAR? AND WHAT IMPACT DO YOU HOPE YOUR WORK HAS ON AUDIENCES?
We’re incredibly grateful for the positive feedback, from our previous films recognition from Nowness Picks and ASVOFF to this year’s festival circuit success with NERVIO film. It’s encouraging to see that people are connecting with our work. Ultimately, we want our projects to be both visually striking and intellectually stimulating and we hope audiences are engaging with the film’s themes and aesthetics.
HOW DO YOU THINK THE POSTER MEDIUM FOR THIS CAMPAIGN WILL WORK IN RELATION TO THE FILM?
The posters serve as an extension of the film’s visual world, offering audiences a glimpse of its atmosphere in public spaces. Collaborating with Uncle on this campaign allows us to build curiosity before people even watch the film.
WHY IS LONDON IMPORTANT TO YOU?
The city’s energy and diversity fuel our creativity and inspire us to experiment. London’s creative scene is open to new ideas, allowing us to build NERVIO as a brand that reflects the city’s vibrant, forward-thinking spirit.
WHAT EFFECT DO YOU HOPE THE POSTER CAMPAIGN WILL HAVE ON VIEWERS AS THEY ENCOUNTER IT IN LONDON’S URBAN SPACES?
We hope the posters spark curiosity and wonder, drawing people into NERVIO’s creative world. By placing them in urban spaces, we invite the public to step into our journey and offer a glimpse of our vision, with the hope of leaving a lasting impression of our world.
HOW DO YOU SEE NERVIO GROWING WITHIN LONDON’S CREATIVE LANDSCAPE, AND WHERE WOULD YOU LIKE TO TAKE IT NEXT?
We envision NERVIO as a platform that continues to evolve, bringing our experimental approach to new audiences and contexts. We’d like to explore interdisciplinary projects, potentially working with artists and brands across different mediums. London is just the beginning; our goal is to take NERVIO to international stages, expanding our collaborations and exploring new avenues in art, fashion, and immersive storytelling.
