Music Video of the Week: Sisterhood, Collaboration, and Shooting on 16mm
Built around themes of collective strength and cultural representation, this Camélia Jordana – Que Ma Peau brings together choreography, performance, and carefully constructed visual language within a tightly coordinated one-day shoot.
Co-directed through an unusually collaborative process, the project balances precise planning with emotional resonance by using a single location, large ensemble cast, and 16mm cinematography to create a world centered on solidarity and shared presence.
Below, the co-directors Camélia Jordana and Jordan I. Cardoso reflect on the making of the video.
A Large-Scale Collaboration Built Around Sisterhood
How many people worked on your selected video? Who played a key role in it?
JC: 62 people worked on the music video, which is huge for a one-day shoot! We were really lucky to have amazing talents with us (actors, singers, athletes) who supported the project because they connected with the creative vision and the message behind it. They definitely played a key role in bringing the video to life.
CJ: Let’s also point out that out of those 62 people, 50 were women, which is both unique and rare. It was truly a blessing for a song and a story that is all about sisterhood.
Building a One-Take World
Despite the compressed production timeline, the team placed significant emphasis on planning movement, choreography, and spatial organization within a single location.
How long did it take to make it? What was the process (in short)?
CJ: We had an intense two-week pre-production, followed by a one-day shoot near Paris. We went back and forth a lot on how to use the single location to its full potential, especially to plan the blocking properly for the one-take sequence.
JC: Camélia and I worked closely on the creative direction and the message she had in mind for the song. It was a constant back-and-forth between us, and we brought together an incredible team of people we had both worked with on previous projects.
Navigating the Dynamics of Co-Direction
Sharing creative control introduced its own set of challenges, requiring strong communication and careful alignment throughout the process.
What challenges did you face while working on the video?
Together: Co-directing (haha)!
CJ: I’ve been directing my music videos on my own for the past 15 years, so trusting someone else with that role, especially someone I’m also working with closely on my overall project (Jordan is also my manager), was a real challenge. But I think our connection and our ability to truly listen to each other made it possible to create this piece together.
JC: To me, co-directing is like playing rock-paper-scissors and hoping to land on the same sign every time: which is very hard. So we compensated for that with a lot of pre-production, making sure we were fully aligned on everything and avoiding any doubts on set that could create confusion for the team.
Capturing Collective Movement
Among the film’s standout moments are sequences that emphasize unity through movement and choreography.
What part of the video is your favorite?
JC: Mine is the moment when all the women move together in the same choreography. It was really powerful to witness, and it became what we called “the family portrait.” It perfectly captures the feeling we wanted to convey in that scene.
CJ: That shot is definitely one of the most aesthetic moments in the video, and I love it too. But to highlight another one, I would choose the one-take sequence near the beginning. It reveals the organization of these women in this secret space, their sisterhood used as a hidden strength, all while they appear to be part of the system.
Representation Through Image and Form
Beyond choreography and visual structure, the project also reflects a broader intention around cultural visibility and the continued importance of the music video format itself.
Is there any message that the video is sending that you don’t want the viewer to miss?
CJ: The strength of this video definitely lies in its celebration of sisterhood, but also in the way we brought Amazigh (North African) culture into the spotlight. That kind of imagery didn’t really exist before, and knowing that we created a representation of strong, united women truly means a lot to me.
JC: I would say that the music video format is still very relevant. Nowadays, people sometimes question its importance, and we wanted to respond to that by shooting on 16mm film. For us, it remains a powerful medium for storytelling and artistic expression.
Watch the music video below.
CREDITS
Directed by Camélia Jordana & Jordan I. Cardoso
Produced by Dhaouw Prod & La FRAT
Starring Zehlika Ayad Aliouane, Fadila Ayad, Kenza Ayad, Naidra Ayadi, Kaouther, Ben Hania, Amel Bent, Julie Bennadji, Myriem Boukadida, Rachida Brakni, Myriam Djeljeli, Ludmila El’habendar, Sofia Elouardi, Sonia Faidi, Leila Kaddour, Maya Kheznadji, Sonia Labadi, Estelle Meyer, Kaylia Nemour, Oria, Sabrina Ouazani, Sara Pariss, Farida Rahouadj, Lina Soualem, Zoulikha Tahar.
Creative Director : Florent Farinelli
Line Producer : Victor Meyer Toscanino
Production Assistant : Justine François
1st AD : Maëlle Robert Pawula
2nd AD : Clémentine Dutheil
3rd AD : Charlotte Meyer Toscanino
Director of Photography : Mica Albanese
Steadicamer : Hugo Gastaud
1st AC : Amandine Nolin
2nd AC : Mathilde Esteves
3rd AC: Julie Rabreau
Gaffer : Julie Joumier
Best Boy : Charlotte Chaland
Extra Best Boy : Margot Nahi, Nina Richard
Key Grip : Darius Vernhes Delaunay
Grip : Juliette Perpina
Unit Manager : Sacha Yesi
Production Assistants: Jules Poulin, Adrien Brouard
Drivers: Anthony D’Angelo, Max Adler, Hugo Burchard
Production Designer : Marie Tralci
Production Designer assistant : Léa Cammarata
Extra: Yannick Ducher
Props & Furtinitures: Les 2 Ailleurs, Nora Cheddad Créations
Stylist : Florent Farinelli
Stylist assistants : Mateo Ferreira , Tifany Bissié
Wardrobe : Marine Serre, Barbara Bui, Doc Martens, Charlotte Chesnais, Nora Cheddad Créations, Kabyliia Collections
Jewelry : Charlotte Chesnais, Nora Cheddad Créations
MUA : Odile Jimenez
MUA assistants: Charlotte Schneider, Anne-Sophie Fayet
Hairstylist : Julie Bennadji
Hairstylist assistants : Johana Jean Paul, Moiraï Dembele
Caterer : Sam & So, Fatima Bouzyani
Set photographer : Hellena Burchard
Editor : Noémie Fy Ciesielski
Color Grading : Eudes Quittelier
Sound Designer : Ipon (Uptempo)
Mix 5.1: Benjamin Martin
Conform : Antoine Supper
Film Process, Scan & Development : Kafard Films
Logo CJ : Lisa Baloud
Titles: Thomas Bauer (Uptempo)
Special Thanks to Marine Serre, Barbara Bui, Doc Martens, Charlotte Chesnais, Nora Cheddad, Katia Keddar, Tabia Bouheddou, Vantage Paris, Marina Jego, Fabienne Jego, Fantine Alem, Transpalux, Sarah Talpaert, Lila Chibah, Tassadite Larbi, Fazia Larbi, Mazouz Mohand, Samia Taleb, Dar Mani, Brocante 91, Les 2 Ailleurs.
