Shot across Vietnam over the course of a month, this Music Video of the Week project grew from a small, highly personal production into a film shaped over a much longer period of reflection and editing. With only two people on location for much of the shoot, the project demanded flexibility both behind and in front of the camera.
At its centre is a question that extends beyond the film itself: what does home mean when belonging to one place has never felt straightforward?
Below, artist/director/DOP Keren Ilan breaks down the creative process behind the video.
A Small Team Behind a Personal Film
The production was built around a compact team, with several creative roles concentrated among just a few collaborators.
How many people worked on your selected video? Who played a key role in it?
Three people worked on the project.
- Director / DOP: Keren Ilan
- Camera: Yohad Elkarif
- Edit & Color: Ella Michaeli
- Graphic Design: Dan Deutsch
From Vietnam to the Edit Suite
How long did it take to make it? What was the process (in short)?
Yohad, the cinematographer, and I spent one month in Vietnam documenting and filming. About a year later, we completed the editing process. The project evolved over time, allowing us to reflect on the material before shaping the final film.
Making It Work With Two People
A small production can offer freedom, but it also means that the boundaries between roles quickly disappear. Here, that was complicated further by the personal relationship between the two people at the centre of the shoot.
What challenges did you face while working on the video?
Because Yohad and I were in a relationship at the time, we had to navigate emotional boundaries throughout the production. Although we started the project with a clear vision and structure, we encountered several unexpected challenges, including food poisoning, a very small crew, and the fact that I was both acting in and directing the film.
Since there were only two of us on location, we had to take on multiple roles throughout the shoot. We filmed using only a gimbal and a tripod, which required us to be creative, flexible, and dynamic in the way we approached each scene.
A Favorite From the Very Beginning
What part of the video is your favorite?
The intro.
Rethinking What Home Means
Is there any message that the video is sending that you don’t want the viewer to miss?
I hope my film and music resonate with people who have experienced similar feelings—feeling that they don’t fully belong to one place, longing for a sense of home, and navigating the complexity of being adopted. More than anything, I hope the film encourages viewers to reflect on what “home” means to them and reminds them that home can be a feeling, not just a place.
Watch the music video below.
CREDITS
Director / DOP: Keren Ilan
Camera: Yohad Elkarif
Edit & Color: Ella Michaeli
Graphic Design: Dan Deutsch
