The Video for Nell Bryden’s latest single, Thought I Was Meant For You, has seen the London based American singer/songwriter team up with independent Welsh filmmaker Rhys Davies, to create a sensitive portrayal of the devastating effects of dementia.
The story was inspired by a feature about a couple desperate for marriage equality before Alzheimer’s took hold. Surrounded by a bleak Welsh backdrop, the video follows a couple dealing with the sadness of loss: a partner watching his loved one slowly fade away, day by day, due to an illness beyond anyone’s control.
The video features ex-Marine Tip Cullen, with whom Rhys has worked before on the VOTD winning video The Element, in the role of carer, and Michael Davies who captures the brutality and bewilderment of Alzheimer’s.
“Both actors were superb,” says Rhys of Furball Films, “They handled their roles with such grace and delicacy and did the story justice”.
A scene from Nell Bryden’s Thought I Was Meant For You video directed by Rhys Davies
Originally written as a break-up song, The meaning of Thought I Was Meant For You took a new translation when Nell Bryden began started working with Rhys. Nell said, “The video has taken the song in a new, compelling and powerful direction for me. It’s about companionship and unexpected circumstances. The connection doesn’t change.”
The videos content also struck close to home for Nell whose step-grandmother suffered from the disease for ten years after diagnosis, “. I think Alzheimer’s is probably one of the worst ways to exit this world.” Says Nell.
- Thought I Was Meant For You is from Nell Bryden’s new album, Bloom, available now on 157 Records. Nell is currently presenting a four week BBC Radio 2 series called Nell’s Kitchen exploring the historical music scene in New York. For more details on Nell visit nellbryden.com