Smash-hit pop diva Charli XCX teamed up with director Ryan Andrews for a massive trek off the beaten path: kamikaze-themed biker gangs, a robot-themed bar, and a romp around Tokyo’s alleys.
The usual Japan tropes of Anime and cutesy style weren’t going to cut it. The director had been obsessed with bosozoku, but bringing together the real deal would be easier said than done! Even more challenging would be securing a location to film where the police wouldn’t shut down the production because of the conspicuous gathering of the speed tribes.
The usual Japan tropes of Anime and cutesy style weren’t going to cut it. The director had been obsessed with bosozoku, but bringing together the real deal would be easier said than done! Even more challenging would be securing a location to film where the police wouldn’t shut down the production because of the conspicuous gathering of the speed tribes.
The solution came from Jamie Morris’ initial contact and first-hand experience in Yokohama filming the Yokohama Rengo gang. He wrangled dozens of bikers clad in tokofuku battle gear to pop wheelies and cruise with Charli on their ear-splitting, tricked-out rides. They had the look and attitude, so it was a go!
Further complicating the project was equipment and local crew. Andrews was adamant about shooting on 16mm film. This took local connections and professionals.
No producer in the world was better suited to deliver these elements than Jamie Morris. After a decade of documenting Japan’s bosozoku bikers (“Sayonara Speed Tribes”) he had deep ties to the Japanese underground.
The UK clients, hired by Asylum Records, and local crew headed by Jamie Morris, descended upon the outskirts of Yokohama Bay, under Yokohama Bay Bridge. With the lights set and the cast in place, the crew and talent waited. And waited! The speed tribes come when they are damned well ready, but for Jamie Morris they always show up.
After a tense moment, the rumble and roar of a hundred bikes rattled our equipment but settled our nerves.
A cacophony of bikes circled Charli, and the crew rolled 16mm film. The first shot of bikers became an iconic image for the music video. From there the shoot was a match made in heaven. Charli even jumped on the back of a bosozoku bike, donning a Rising Sun helmet for her exit, stage left.
Music videos need locations, locations, locations! “Superlove” was one of the first ever foreign productions to film in the now ubiquitous Robot Restaurant and adjacent bar.
Charli danced with humans, robots, and even commandeered the restaurant’s neon tank!
The other shots of Charli and friends romping through Kabukicho, Shinjuku were captured at the grace of the local yakuza. Shhh!
