Finding the Extraordinary in the Everyday: Director Niall O’Brien on “A Dawning“ for Talos and Ólafur Arnalds
Irish-born, globally-based director Niall O’Brien has long been celebrated for his quietly powerful storytelling. With a background in fine art photography and years spent capturing subcultures and personal narratives, O’Brien brings an honesty and intimacy to his filmmaking that feels distinctly human. His work often sits at the intersection of documentary and music, blending emotion and observation in equal measure.
His latest film — a collaboration between Talos (Eoin French) and Ólafur Arnalds — is a perfect example of that sensibility. Shot across Ireland and Iceland, it’s a reflective, deeply personal piece that looks at love, loss, and the subtle beauty of ordinary life.
Producer Steve Battle from Coast shares with us, that the video is dedicated to their late friend Eoin (Talos) who passed last year.
We caught up with O’Brien to talk about the making of the film, the challenges behind the camera, and the emotional thread that runs through every frame.
Collaboration and the Core Team
Director O’Brien shares: “A lot of people were involved in the making of this. Firstly, the core team, which was kept lean: myself, Steve Battle (my producer), Albert Hoi (the cinematographer), and a team of camera assistants and sound.”
“But really, the most important people to play a part in this film were the community of folks who allowed us into their lives to experience and capture it. This consisted of so many friends and families that some couldn’t even feature in the film itself.”
“Everyone came together for the love of Eoin French (Talos) and Ólafur Arnalds.”
Process and the Pace
The team spent about a month shooting across Ireland and Iceland, and then “somehow managed to edit and deliver the film just two weeks after wrapping.”
O’Brien: “Martin Leroy was an extraordinary part of the process, and Aubrey Woodiwiss did the color.”
Emotional Balance
We asked O’Brien about challenges faced while working on the video: “The biggest challenge was balancing the emotional weight of the project with the need to remain observational and open to the people we were filming.”
Directors Favourite Moment
O’Brien shares that his favorite moments were the ones between Steph and her daughter. That thread runs quietly through the whole piece.
“It was incredibly powerful for us because Steph is the wife of the late Eoin French. I was terrified we might create something that felt unauthentic, but once we started filming, their relationship just took over onscreen in a beautiful way.”
Film’s Core Message
O’Brian: “This is a film about life and what it is to live. It’s a chance to observe the quieter moments and see how extraordinary that can be.”
We know through living, through our friend Eoin’s view on life, just how precious it is. Every moment is an epic miracle that we get to have, and we don’t often stop to see that.
Niall O’Brien
For O’Brien, filmmaking isn’t about spectacle — it’s about truth. His collaboration with Talos and Ólafur Arnalds and production team stands as a reminder that music videos can do more than promote a song; they can hold space for memory, emotion, and what it means to be human.
The piece has since been selected as Music Video of the Week for its raw emotional depth and unfiltered beauty. In a landscape often driven by visual excess, O’Brien’s work reminds us that sometimes the quietest stories speak the loudest.
Check the full video below
CREDITS
Artist: Ólafur Arnalds (@olafurarnalds) & Talos (@thisistalos)
Director: Niall O’Brien (@niallito)
Producer: Steve Battle (@stevebattle)
Production Company: Coast (@_coaststudio_)
DOP: Albert Hooi (@alberthooi)
First AC: Sean Doupe (@seandoupe)
Sound: Steve Downing, Shane O’Connell (@downingsteve08 @shaneocsound)
Production Manager (Iceland): Æsa Skúladóttir (@aesaskula)
Post Production: Work Editorial Los Angeles (@workeditorial)
Post Producer: Gabrielle Page
Editor: Martin Leroy ( @_martinleroy_)
Assistant Editor: Chris Tennant
Sound Mix: Tom Joyce (@soundcanvas)
Colorist: Aubrey Woodiwiss (@aubreycolor)
Label: Mercury KX (@mercurykx)
