Past Forward
Watch Prada’s surreal silent film directed by David O’Russell
Still of Allison and John in ‘Past Forward’ dir David O’Russell for Prada, 2016
Prada is known for its filmic collaborations – from Wes Anderson and Roman Coppola to Alejandro González Iñárritu, who curated the Fondazione Prada’s first film series of this year, the Italian fashion house’s creative reach stretches far beyond clothes. So when at the SS17 show we were treated to a fragmented sneak preview of a new collaboration with David O’Russell, we were intrigued. Now we can watch the whole thing, with the film streaming in full on prada.com from today.
Miuccia Prada joined forces with the American director (Joy, American Hustle, Silver Linings Playbook) to realise the movie, titled PAST FORWARD. The dreamy silent film follows actresses Allison Williams, Freida Pinto and Kuoth Wiel as they act out the same character performing a series of actions and events in changing combinations.
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“Miuccia Prada challenged me to make a work of cinema, like a dream, fuelled by strange mystery, suspense, fear, danger, beauty, conflict, romance, love, identity, and time,” Russell remarked in a release. “Here was the opportunity to make a journey guided by layers of movie memories, life images and emotions, with no aim except to create art — as if it were a painting or a sculpture — free from normal narrative or audience expectations. The cast and I worked simply for the joy of making art.”
If it leaves you confused, don’t worry – us too – and that’s just the point. The result is a dreamscape that shifts right in front of you, both small and large details warped to challenge traditional notions of storyline and narrative. Just like that SS17 collection, which displaced retro elements to create pieces that recall the past while feeling entirely new. Let’s call it a lovely mind trip and leave it at that.
Head to prada.com to watch ‘Past Forward’ from today, November 17th.
Prada SS17
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