Who is Tony Truand Datis? That question may be harder to answer than I originally suspected. I learned about Tony through the music videos of Skrillex. If you’ve seen Skrillex’s videos for Bangarang or First Of The Year then you’ve seen Tony’s work. However, Tony’s art goes much deeper than music videos.

Between 2006 and 2008 Tony released a handful of short films that are nothing short of intriguing. I found the films to be mysterious and wonderful in a way that provokes thought. One of the best things about Tony’s work is that it has definitive style. I’ll admit, at first I wondered why many of the films featured the same motif’s. In many of them we are in some corner of the world that is damaged, with stray animals, decrepit buildings, soldiers in riot gear, and always from the perspective of children. Why would you make multiple short films that center around the same theme? It seemed that he was possibly stuck creatively in these locations with these ideas. Then it hit me. Tony was building his own universe through these films. The intent was to use these motifs beyond each individual film to serve as the connections that make up this lost world. This might seem typical if you were looking at sequels. But when you enter with the perspective of each film being separate from the next, it takes you on a different journey.

However, the mystery of Tony is still open. Searching for more information about his background, nothing comes to the surface. The most I have to go on is the occasional French subtitle, his recent Grammy nomination for his video for Skrillex’s “First Of The Year”, and my interpretation of his work. Hopefully more to come on Tony Truand.

Until then, I recommend getting started with the music video “Shipwreck” by MODESELEKTOR feat. Thom Yorke, or the short film “Alice”. Then when you’re ready, watch the 19 minute long “Marcus”.

You can see all of Tony’s work at TonyTruand.com or his vimeo page.

MODESELEKTOR feat. Thom Yorke – Shipwreck from TONY T. on Vimeo.

ALICE (2008) from TONY T. on Vimeo.