Crowns & Owls are a London-based image-making collective that has shot for Flaunt and Schön Magazine as well as created a music video for Hercules & Love Affair. Their latest effort is a highly personal project titled 'WITHIN', visualising the effects of mental illness as a contribution to UK mental health charity 'MIND'.

The film is an ode to the trio's "myriad of collective experiences with mental health - an attempt of visually conveying the spectrum of sensations we’ve felt during the navigation of our individual conditions." Starring in the film is model and advocate Dennis Okwera, with a voice-over revealing an emotive inner monologue over striking landscape visuals evocative of universes created by David Uzochukwu. With mental health stigma still rampant, notably for people of colour, the project is an important reminder not only to discuss but actively engage in the tackling of our societies' mental health crises.

Accompanying the short film is a photo expo at Protein Studios and a limited-run print publication, which you can purchase here. All proceeds go directly to the MIND charity.

If you, or someone you know, would like to find treatment or someone to talk to, please consult your doctor or national mental health emergency services. For a list of global mental health resources and foundations, you can go here. 
 

CREDITS
Written & Directed by Crowns & Owls
Starring - Dennis Okwera, Nicole Harvey
Director of Photography - Adam Barnett
Sound Designer - Ed Downham @ Wave Studios
Additional Sound Design - Ned Sisson @ Wave Studios
Edit - Crowns & Owls
Music - Small Press Music
1st AC - Phil Herron
Voiceover - Daniel Blake
Colourist - Jonny Tully
VFX: Pete Hughes
Post Producer: Hannah Whitehall & Emma Shuter