Sometimes as videographer my job brief is simply: SEX, LUST & VOYEURISM. Advocating The Devil is a fashion film on lust, jealousy, love, bisexuality, infidelity, passion – you know, things that make the world go round. (See the behind the scene shots on Flickr).
It is written and art directed by stylist Sherman Hawthorne, for Schon Magazine editorial fashion shoot. The photoshoot was done by Laroche Brothers at 33 Portland Place, which was also the location for Oscar-winning film The King’s Speech.
Videography and editing by Zarina Holmes, creative director Sojournposse. zarinaholmes.org. Art direction and story by © Sherman Hawthorne. shermanhawthorne.com. Still photography by Laroche Brothers laroachebrothers.com
The storyline:
This is a story of lust, anger jealousy wrapped in an attempted murder. Set in a crumbling English country mansion. Hugo (young male model) has been released from a 10-year jail sentence for the attempted murder of the famous artist Arnold Rogers (mature male model). A place has been made vacant for Hugo to stay in a hostel, but instead he makes his way to the house of Artist where he is busy working to a deadline on his canvass.
Photo © Zarina Holmes
Arnold is older, very handsome and well dressed; his mood is permanently dark as he is never content and permanently scheming on how to keep his sexual encounters with young boys hidden from his wife.
Her name is Vivien, she is on a 24-hour style alert, always dressed with amazing glamour, but underneath the veil she is submissive, paranoid and 30 seconds away from bursting into tears.
Photo © Zarina Holmes
Hugo makes his way along the garden path and through the back door, where he finds Arnold painting, he almost falls of the chair for fear of his life, when Hugo appears, but this turns into a sexual tension as he scans Hugo’s prison gym trained body and his wicked mind starts scheming on how to resolve this once again life threatening dilemma.
Photo © Zarina Holmes
Whilst this is going on Vivien is entering the front door immaculately dressed with two groomed dogs on a solid gold chain lead, she removes her jacket and lets the dogs run free and walks towards the back room, unexpectedly disturbing the men doing what ever they happen to be doing, she is in shock and bursts into tears, Arnold shouts at her to leave the room, Hugo gets twisted, the dogs are barking, and some one is going to get hurt.
Photo © Zarina Holmes
Throughout this scenario there is a constant change of clothing and lots of movement around the room. Vivien will be wandering around helplessly confused. Hugo will be dominant and crazy. Arnold will be the aggressor.
The closing shot will be of Hugo sat on the floor in a corner with Arnold dying in his arms.
Photo © Zarina Holmes
It was a fun project from the beginning to end.
