Apple has released a touching holiday film, ‘The Dreamer,’ which follows an imaginative boy whose inner world comes alive through his art. As childhood gives way to young adulthood and obstacles get in the way, he sets his creative life aside, but his parents still see the artist in him, and their belief helps him find his way back.
Melina Matsoukas directed the film, with cinematography by Bradford Young and artwork by Hebru Brantley. It is set to ‘Give Me a Dream’ by Strawberry Guy. The campaign is built around the idea of giving someone more than a gift: the belief in the artist they have yet to become.
MacBook Neo is at the center of that gesture. The boy’s first MacBook is a gift from his parents, and it becomes the tool he uses to rediscover his artistry as he begins a storyboard for a new character, illustrated by Brantley.
“My goal with work is to create pieces that move people and create change in the world,” said Matsoukas.
“I saw the opportunity to do that with this project and was fortunate to work with a brand that had the courage to do so. In this moment in the world, to deliver a message that inspires people to follow their passions, to protect our artists, and to look at the world as a canvas of possibilities, is something I’m very proud to have been a part of.”
“Our experiences shape what we create,” said Brantley.
“My mother saw the artist in me before I could see it in myself, and her belief gave me the confidence to explore that – which I’ll continue to honor. That’s why this story is special to me. The right tools can help us unlock our creativity. For the young artist in the film, the MacBook Neo is also a reminder that his parents see the potential in him, and an invitation to reconnect with it.”
Credits
Agency: TBWA\Media Arts Lab
Production Company: Prettybird / De La Revolución
Director: Melina Matsoukas
DP: Bradford Young
Artist Collaborator: Hebru Brantley
Edit: Final Cut
Post-Production: Pariah
Color: Color Collective
Sound: Lime
Music: “Give Me a Dream” by Strawberry Guy
