Greenpeace has released many horror films, but none like this. Don’t Panic and Partizan director, Martin Stirling, have created a psychological horror film as a metaphor for Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation, aka SLAPP suits, that are used to stop activists, journalists and non-profit organisations by burying them in legal fees, draining their time and resources, and undermining their support. Power vs freedom of speech. Greenpeace has been the defendant in dozens of these.

The film, stars Academy Award-winner, Javier Bardem, and Heartstopper actor, Yasmin Finney uses the double meaning of suit as its entry point to bring awareness to Big Oil’s intimidation tactic. It is set inside a historic Savile Row tailor shop, with Javier Bardem playing a sinister tailor crafting suits for some of the world’s largest fossil fuel companies and Yasmin Finney a young protester drawn into his workshop and measured up for a suit against her will.

The film transforms the mechanics of corporate intimidation into something tactile, oppressive and cinematic. A tape measure moves with the sound of a sword. Rolls of pinstripe fabric bear the names of global energy corporations. Stitching reads ‘GAG ORDER’, ‘SUPPRESSION’ and ‘CEASE AND DESIST’. Steam, scissors and the tape measure become instruments of control as the suit tightens around its wearer, physically restricting her ability to move or speak.

The project is a second collaboration between Partizan director, Martin Stirling and Don’t Panic. The pair produced Most Shocking Second a Day, in 2014 for Save The Children UK, and is one of the most widely viewed campaigning films of the past decade.

Credits
Client: Greenpeace International
Client Team: Susannah Compton, Johanna Grant Axen, Russell Harvey, Chris Greenberg, Rasmus Ilso

Creative Agency: Don’t Panic
Founder: Joe Wade
Executive Creative Director: George McCallum Creative Director: Georgia Stephenson
Creatives: Dan Clarke, Guy Davidson, Joe Wade
Art Director: Katie Richardson
Designer: Thiago Valenti
Executive Producer: Jennifer Clare Houlihan
Client Lead: Jane Marshall
Head of Client Services: Georgia Williams
Project Manager: Lauren Grant
Marketing Managers: Ella Soule & Mollie Knight

Production: Partizan
Director: Martin Stirling
Managing Director: Jenny Beckett
Head of Production: Ella More O’ferrall
Producer: Charlie Scannell
Production Manager: Will Cousins
1st AD: Chris Kelly
Director of Photography: Carl Burke

Post Production & VFX: Framestore
Grade: Company 3 London
Editing: Trim Editing
Music & Sound: Runamok Studios