SMUGGLER's Nina Holmgren Crafts Own Distorted Visual Language in New Film for Justine Skye

SMUGGLER filmmaker Nina Holmgren’s latest short film 'Intruded' for Justine Skye, guest-starring Bella Hadid and Lil’ Yachty, is a meticulously crafted and nuanced commentary on communication through screens and self-obsession in the age of social media. Influenced by the video art of Nam June Paik and the heightened music video aesthetic of the '90s, Nina crafted her own distorted visual language to explore distinctly modern themes through a retro futuristic lens. 

'Intruded' is the debut track off Justine Skye’s forthcoming album, 'Space & Time', produced by Timbaland. While the short film primarily features 'Intruded', it subtly teases two upcoming tracks off the album as well.

The voyeuristic video is set in a highly art directed surveillance room, complete with mini-DV cameras, computer monitors, cell phones, TV screens, and other familiar trappings of a technological past. The considered setting serves as a visual metaphor for the film’s overarching thesis, while also commenting on electronic waste. 

Through this collision of digital and analog, Nina has created a film that’s sensual and fashionable, ethereal and intentional, full of iconic and hypnotic imagery, further emphasised by Justine’s infused performance. She has brilliantly written and directed a stand-alone piece of video art worthy of gallery exhibition while simultaneously being the perfect companion piece to the track itself.