Director's Works
The Walt Disney Co x Balmain, Lion's Paw Femi Oladigbolu
Connoisseur of craft Femi "Ladi" Oladigbolu brings immaculate artistry to every genre he explores, from his technical tour de force “My Family” music video to his vivid afro futuristic masterpiece “Oba” short film. There is a poetry in how Ladi’s surrealism challenges viewers’ perception of reality. Subverting expectations at every turn, his films are layered with compelling visual metaphors. Winning the 2021 UKMVA Best Hip Hop Video, Femi Ladi turned heads worldwide with the masterful cinematic craftsmanship of “My Family.” This critically acclaimed music video captures Pa Salieu and BackRoad Gee’s celebration of found family with an innovative, technically beautiful use of motion control. Introspectively inspired and mesmerizingly executed, Ladi's award-winning film “Oba” unfolds a story of identity and heritage, submerging audiences in a richly bold, gorgeously surreal visual world.
From the very first moment of this sartorial epic, the grand opening of the iconic Lion King “Circle of Life,” transports us to the luxurious realm of this ornate story world. The glimmering gold motif of the first collection radiates off the vast stretches of desert sand, this portrait of luxury’s canvas. In an elegant quest towards an otherworldly chrome cube, the characters of the second line are adorned in a black and white ensemble with a zebra-print motif. Submerging us in the tactile flow of vibrant, billowing banners, the next collection is marked by bold yellow hues. There is a breath-stealing iridescent beauty to the model’s walk along a sunset-haloed desert with glowing lanterns. In stunning wide shots of this premium Lion King world, the golden sands of South Africa become a stunning runway. Crafting a visual symphony of heritage, beauty, and bold new beginnings, Femi Oladigbolu's “Lion’s Paw” crafts a glamorous ode to the legacy of the Lion King and the daring creativity of Balmain.