The Directors Bureau proudly announces the addition of award-winning filmmaker Crystal Moselle to its roster for commercials and music video representation in the US. Moselle is celebrated for her unique storytelling aesthetic that fuses realism with lifestyle elements.
Her impressive body of work includes the Sundance Grand Jury Prize-winning documentary The Wolfpack (2015), the branded scripted short That One Day (2017) for Miu Miu, which debuted at the Venice Film Festival, and the Gotham Award-winning feature Skate Kitchen (2018) that inspired the HBO series “Betty” (2019-2021).
Moselle has directed acclaimed commercials for major brands including H&M, Kate Spade, WhatsApp, VRBO, New York Times Magazine, Samsung, and Water.org. Her latest film, The Black Sea, co-directed with rapper and art curator Derrick B. Harden, premiered to widespread acclaim at SXSW earlier this year. The film, largely improvisational and based on events from Harden’s life, follows Khalid, a former Brooklyn barista seeking a fresh start in a small seaside town in Bulgaria.
Describing her collaboration with Harden, Moselle said, “He knows how to throw things way out of the box. And I know what to do to make it work on screen.” The Austin Chronicle praised the film, noting it “raises questions about the difference between a tourist, refugee, and immigrant, and explores how sometimes you have to travel a long physical distance to find what’s always been inside yourself.” The Black Sea will be distributed by Metrograph Pictures in theaters this Fall.
Coppola, Director/Owner of The Directors Bureau, expressed enthusiasm for Moselle’s addition to the company. “Crystal is emblematic of the type of filmmakers and creatives that are the heart of the company: voices that are thriving in many different formats of storytelling be it film, TV, advertising, as well as other art forms. Crystal is tapped into the zeitgeist of culture and brings a fresh point of view to the roster.”
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Moselle herself expressed her excitement about joining The Directors Bureau. “I have been a fan of The Directors Bureau since early in my career when I shared my reel with their rep Michael Arkin who made my day when he took the time to call me and offer up encouragement because he saw something special in my work. After The Black Sea, things came full circle. I love the work of the Bureau’s roster of filmmakers and their obvious commitment to indie film, something that carries over to a more cinematic approach to commercials and music videos. It aligns perfectly with the work I like to do.”
A hallmark of Moselle’s work is her ability to elicit grounded performances, which she attributes to giving talent the freedom to improvise and ensure their lines resonate personally. Her distinctive street-chic style and lush visual aesthetic are complemented by her keen understanding of cinematography and grading. Harden remarked that Moselle’s eye “takes her work beyond the traditional commercial space.”
Moselle is eager to explore new formats and approaches within the commercial space, stating, “I’m interested in stepping outside of the flat screen of a commercial to include more holistic work or ‘event-tising.’ Whether it’s documentary or scripted, I want to tell the right version of the story – for television, online, live events – with brands and agencies. The Directors Bureau is a great partner for this.”
Moselle joins The Directors Bureau from Somesuch, who will continue to represent her in the UK.
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