Bat for Lashes Directs Short Film "I Do"

Photo by Anna Weber

Bat for Lashes‘ Natasha Khan has directed a 15-minute short as part of a new anthology film called Madly. Presented by MTV World, Madly is “six stories of modern love in all of its dizzying, sweet complications,” each directed by a different person. Khan’s short is called “I Do”.

In addition to Khan’s contribution, Madly will feature films by Gael García Bernal (The Motorcycle Diaries, Amores Perros), Mia Wasikowska (Alice in Wonderland, Maps to the Stars), and more. Watch a trailer here.

Speaking to Pitchfork about “I Do”, Khan said:

It’s about a bride, the morning of her wedding, being disturbed by subterranean weird feelings, message and signs. On the way to her wedding, something really crazy happens, and you’re left wondering whether she’s gonna go through with it. It’s all about redemption of grief, putting ghosts to bed before you can move into a fully committed relationship. It’s very countryside, weird, English, surreal.

She added:

I love directing. I worked with a brilliant DAP, Chloe Thomason—we had quite a strong female contingent, actually. She was my cinematographer, so we spent week beforehand sharing my favorite films, making storyboards, image boards, talking about color, types of light, composition of shots. I’ve been drawing a lot recently, I love the visual thing. It was really nice to have a collaborator again on that level. Directing actors was incredible. I think because of all the singing I do, it’s very much about being in your body and feeling things, so I felt like we had a good basis of understanding, ability to talk about nuances of performance. It was very whirlwind and I was worried I hadn’t got everything I needed, but then in the editing process—like an album—things just shine. Abi Fry, who played viola in the first Bat for Lashes band, she did the majority of the soundtrack. It was really nice to hand that over to someone. I did some synth drones but she was brilliant, she’s got beautiful pieces in the film. I can’t wait to direct a feature film, I really want to do it.

Khan will release the debut from her Sexwitch project in September.

Revisit our Cover Story on Bat for Lashes, “Glitter in the Dark“.

Watch Bat for Lashes’ video for “Laura”: