Mercedes-Benz, Pieces (Featuring Alicia Keys)

Pieces was a snapshot of Keys’ life as it stood then – her relationship between herself and her children, as well as with her career.

Approaching the film Abteen wanted to make something just for Alicia; something that she could show her children some day. He pushed the boundaries of the questions one could ask: On childlike wonder, where creativity and imagination comes from, even discussing Werner Herzog’s idea of the Ecstatic Truth; the difference between facts and truth, the very words from Alicia that start the film being her take on the idea. And from this, he created a unique aesthetic, mixing 16mm film with archive footage from Alicia, stylised with a visual synthesizer. The result, a nostalgic, whimsical documentary that touches on the singers’ heart in a way that many films have not before.

Director: @abteen
DoP: @oli_millar
EP: Christoph Petzenhauser @lastdoorontheleft
Producer: Elise Tyler @snackelise, Tanya Curnow
Editor: Chris Catanach @cnak27
Colorist: @alexgregorycolour
2D Lead: @nortynorton
2D Artist: Tom Freeman @superninja9000 & @stefansusemihl
EP: @justinstiebel
PA: @steviesapiano
VFX Producer: Tanya Curnow
Soundmix: Dan Flosdof @dan_flos
Agency: @antoniberlin
With production through @somesuchandco LA (thanks Roger and all), editing at @cartel.tv (thanks Lauren and Dina), soundmix at @barkingowlsound (thanks to Ashley and Kelly) and VFX from @mill_berlin
Produced by ANORAK x @somesuchandco