Directed By: Savanah Leaf & Kelsey Lu on “Running To Pain” Music Video | Spotify

Spotify’s documentary series Directed By has released a recent episode focusing on the collaboration between musician Kelsey Lu and visual artist Savanah Leaf on the music video for Lu’s single, “Running To Pain.” The episode details the creative process behind the video, which premiered on March 20, and explores the themes of trust and vulnerability central to both the song and the visual accompaniment.

The Directed By series, created in partnership with Android, offers a behind-the-scenes look at the making of music videos. Previous episodes featured Maisie Peters and James Ogram’s operate on “Audrey Hepburn” and “You You You,” and FKA twigs and Jordan Hemingway’s development of the “HARD” video. This latest installment highlights the unique dynamic between Lu and Leaf, whose working relationship began on Leaf’s feature film, Earth Mama.

Leaf, a British-American director and former Olympian, transitioned to filmmaking after an injury ended her athletic career. She wrote and directed Earth Mama, a film about a pregnant single mother navigating the foster care system. Lu composed the score and created the soundtrack for the film, establishing a creative partnership that continued with “Running To Pain.”

According to Leaf, the visual concept for “Running To Pain” stemmed from a shared listening experience with Lu. “Lu’s vision was to create a film that captures the full arc of the album, beginning with the release of ‘Running To Pain,’” Leaf said. “It explores that visceral, playful urge to run heart-first into situations that might be toxic and/or painful.” The video, filmed in Lanzarote, features Lu and French actor Garance Marillier in what has been described as a “sensual and explosive relationship” set against a stark landscape.

Leaf further explained that the team aimed to create a “fever-dream feel” for the video, balancing “fantasy visuals with grounded emotions” to guide viewers through the emotional landscape of the song. She anticipates the audience will be “captivated by the depth of what Lu has in store” with her upcoming album, So Help Me God.

The music video’s production involved Electric Theatre Collective for VFX and colour, with Ryan Marie Helfant serving as Director of Photography and Jill Ferraro as Producer. Park Pictures and Paradise Productions also contributed to the production.