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Dimi
‏@DimiSpice85
#WillYoung is set to release the video for new single #BraveMan tomorrow https://popcorker.wordpress.com/2015/10/18/will-young-brave-man-new-single-choice-2015 …

I had been following a very different idea for the video to Brave Man. When this didn't come to fruition I went back to the drawing board and wondered to myself what it is to be a 'brave man'.
It came to me.
It seems extremely brave to be a man in a woman's body and then decide to do something about this.
As I thought more about it, I realised that there is often coverage of what it is to be a woman in a man’s body, but never to my knowledge the documenting of the opposite (almost a perverted kind of patriarchy).
So the video came about.
My next move was to go to Wiz who I have now worked with four times on music films. I say film because the way Wiz shoots creates something that always seems like a film, as opposed to a video. Something with a narrative that leaves me thinking about what I have just viewed.
Wiz had been thinking about doing a film about a transgender man and so the world aligned, as it often does, when something feels right and we made the video.
Wiz already knew Fox, a transgender man, and through casting we found Finn. The vulnerability, strength and intelligence he has is so abundant on camera. Really, I have not met someone like him before. Someone who has an inherent strength and a determination whilst also holding such vulnerability.
To be vulnerable IS to be strong.
To express and show this is actually the bravest and most wonderful thing to do.
I know that transgender people do not like being called brave. It is something that is innate. Not a choice, but a given. Being a gay man I feel the same. I wasn't 'brave' to come out, it was simply what I had to do.
I am used to prejudice though. Through tough times embracing myself as someone 'different' allowed me to embrace all differences in others, to embrace their vulnerability and their struggles as well as their inner strength and determination to be their true authentic selves. When I wrote the song, this is what I was referring to – the determination in modern life to be my authentic self.
In this video we see a man determined to be himself in the face of all adversity from inside and outside. It isn't brave but, my god, it shows true grit and strength. What a wonderful thing. This video isn't about selling records or my personal benefit. This video is about taking a moment in time to explore a section of society who stand up for themselves. To tell a story and offer a window through music into someone's life.
No one but Wiz could have done it in such a non-sensationalist and honest way.
I've never felt so humbled and proud.

Fantastic video. Does anyone know where it was filmed exactly? It looks familiar.

Fantastic video. Does anyone know where it was filmed exactly? It looks familiar.

Fox Fisher @SaluteHQ

So excited to finally release this image from the #willyoung music film Brave Man featuring a #Trans… https://instagram.com/p/9BkWYgM6iR/
4:38 PM - 19 Oct 2015

The Independent states the streets of London.

http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/exclusive-will-youngs-new-music-video-depicts-naked-transgender-man-on-the-streets-of-london-a6699776.html

Will Young highlights transgender issues in new video

After a year of career highs that have seen him return with a number one album, nationwide tour and four stunning new videos, singer/songwriter Will Young announces today the release of a very special new video for his latest single 'Brave Man', out this December 4th.

Written by Will with collaborators Jim Eliot & Mima Stilwell, 'Brave Man' is the fourth single to be taken from Will's latest critically acclaimed sixth studio album, '85% Proof'. A breath-takingly beautiful ballad that is at once both haunting and powerful, it exhibits both Will's innate talent as a songwriter, as well as his desire to plunge into the depths and complexity of human nature.

To match the song's original tone, Will, the ever outspoken and socially aware artist has chosen to embody a poignancy and deeper meaning of the track by deciding to use the video as a platform to tell the story of a real-life young female-to-male transgender. Directed by long-term collaborator WIZ (Dizzee Rascal, Marilyn Manson, Arctic Monkey's), the film is a chilling real-life portrayal of the isolation and prejudice that accompanies the reality of the LGBT community while also underlining the undeniable resilience and empowerment this group possess.

Speaking on the video, Will says 'It seems extremely brave to be a man in a woman's body and then decide to do something about this. As I thought more about it I realised that there is often coverage of what it is to be a woman in a man's body but never to my knowledge the documenting of the opposite. Almost a perverted kind of patriarchy.

"In this video we see a man determined to be himself in the face of all adversity from inside and outside. It isn't brave but my god it shows true grit and strength. What a wonderful thing. This video isn't about selling records or my personal benefit. This video is about taking a moment in time to explore a section of society who stand up for themselves. To tell a story and offer a window through music into someone's life. I've never felt so humbled and proud."

85% Proof' is the sixth album from the multi-million selling Brit Award winning singer-songwriter and represents his most accomplished work to date. Arriving at the top of the charts (making is his fourth No.1 album), '85% Proof' is an eclectic, hugely confident and startlingly human record which continues to cement Will's status as both a national icon and reigning artistic powerhouse.

Along with the success of '85% Proof' Will is about embark on his long-awaited UK 'Love Revolution Tour' – his first nation-wide tour in four years. 'The Love Revolution Tour', will start in York on 29th October and run across the UK & Ireland, finishing in London at the Hammersmith pollo on 29th November.

What a wonderful video, and so fitting to the song's lyrics. The concept and its execution are perfect. <3

Just listened to the singles that preceded this and, having not heard the rest of the album (and coming from a non-fan), I'd think 'Brave Man' would have been the best choice as lead single.

WIZ and Will Young have been making music videos together for almost a decade, coming up with exceptional, often surprising work. But now the video for Brave Man is arguably Young's most talked-about video ever. We talked to WIZ about how he distilled the courage of a young transsexual's journey from one gender to another, into a naked walk through the streets of Brighton.

How did the idea for the video come about? Were you wary about proposing an idea to Will Young in which he is not a central character?

For good or ill, I have a David and Goliath complex. Every day I walk past a LGBT suicide memorial. Every day I walk past the ocean and reminded of the aching Who lyric: "The beach is a place where a man can feel, he's the only soul in the world that's real." I have a transgender friend who I’ve watched successfully navigate their transitioning journey, which I found incredibly inspiring and humbling.

Last year I wrote a short film with these and other feelings in mind. Will came to me wanting to make a transgender-themed video, I showed him the script which he loved, and then he improved it. Also of course he brought to the table his emotive song Brave Man. By the way, isn't Will Young one of our truly great British soul voices?


"I have a transgender friend who I’ve watched successfully navigate their transitioning journey, which I found incredibly inspiring and humbling."

Initially Will didn’t want to be in it as he felt his presence would distract, but I insisted knowing that between us (and this comes from mutual trust) we could pitch a performance that was sincere, informed the narrative but without overpowering it.

Also it’s important to say that along with Will, his management and Island Records committed 100% to the concept. ‘f*** the Daily Mail!’ was one of the conversations. As I’ve said before to my mind Will in his own way is as provocative and important artist as a Lady Gaga or a Nick Cave.

How did you cast your main character – did you cast from the transgender community?

We all understood from the beginning that this project needed to be conducted with utmost authenticity and integrity, so there was no question of not using real locations and not casting a trans actor. And this would have been impossible without the authority and collaboration of Fox Fisher, a highly respected trans activist and filmmaker. As soon as Finn the lead guy walked into the casting I knew we were blessed and our aim was true. His inscrutability and inner grace personified the character.

"As soon as Finn - the lead guy - walked into the casting I knew we were blessed and our aim was true. His inscrutability and inner grace personified the character."

You shot the video in the middle of Brighton. When did you shoot it, and how did you overcome the challenges that came with shooting the idea? And did you have any difficult moments?

The biggest challenge is it’s a work of fiction, expressing very real experiences and engaging real people. We wanted to show the defiance of a character as he is met by vulgarity and brutality, resolving with a catharsis. And achieving this unflinchingly yet with sensitivity and without sensationalism was a great responsibility. Will, Fox, producer Scott O’Donnell, excellent commissioner Tamara Brooks, the actor Finn and myself, shared many rigorous meetings discussing the issues at length.

Regarding the actual shoot, initially for realism I wanted to shoot on a weekend. The brilliant 1st AD Dan Gibling strongly persuaded me against and we went for a Thursday. However we didn’t know that it was a Fresher’s night, so it was just as heaving and inebriated as any Saturday. Thankfully our robust security helped life from getting to dangerously close to art. Having said that, overall Brighton was very generous and accommodating, something I think pertinently we would have struggled with in London or other cities.

The idea of exposing of oneself and then having to face what that brings – embodies the idea of being Brave. Is there any other message that you’d like people to draw from it?

It's often unhelpful to spell out one's intentions for a film, as the meaning resides in the viewer and how they react – as well as the risk of reducing complex issues to sound bites. But we’re encouraged with the way the film has modestly stimulated further debate, which along with showing a human story was one of our aims.

You’ve recently been working as a theatre director (and won a prize). Is that the first time you’ve worked in live theatre, and did that experience have an impact on how you approached this video?

Well, maybe I thought it was time to do some real directing. And it was terrifying as it was exhilarating. No producer to wipe your bottom, no camera or editing to hide behind. But ultimately the principles are the same: a cast, a story and you. And perversely I plan to adapt one of my all time favourite movies (clue: it deals with gangsters and gender fluidity) into a play for the Soho Theatre.

Brave man now on Graham Norton .
When the song had finished he said next month will is going to do a couple of shows about his favourite r and b .

So Capital have played Brave Man.

http://comparemyradio.com/tracks/Will_Young/Brave_Man

That's strange, maybe it was in a showbizzy/music news context because of the video? can't see them suddenly jumping on board and playlisting him.

B listed on radio 2.

I see radio 6 and Free Radio have given Brave Man a spin. Not much I know but hey ho it's good to see anyone playing his current music.

Thats good TT as radio 6 ever played his music before cant remember seeing them.

Just putting it out there: Brave Man is better – and braver – than anything on Adele’s 25. Granted, it’s easier to take the odd risk with your power ballads when the future of the entire music industry doesn’t hinge on your next release, but kudos to any Radio 2-friendly artist who opens their single with 13 seconds of minimal techno pulsing and accompanies it with a powerful video denouncing transphobia. Will even leans in for the full growl on the second chorus. Maybe he’s more George Michael than Michael Crawford after all.