Australian director Kiku Ohe co-directs Diablo’s first live-action trailer with Oscar-winning filmmaker Chloé Zhao via 72andSunny, LA
Rabbit director Kiku Ohe has teamed up with Oscar-winning director Chloé Zhao (Nomadland and Eternals) and 72&Sunny, LA to spotlight the latest instalment from revered gaming franchise Diablo.
The launch trailer for Diablo IV entitled “Saviours Wanted” takes us into the lives of those within the game, following a host of non-playing characters who plead for salvation from the countless demons and outright destruction within the Diablo world.
The film draws on the epic scope and rich lore of the Diablo universe; capturing the game’s thrilling battles between heaven and hell. The game’s aesthetic, inspired by Chiaroscuro, was brought to life through a sophisticated blend of live action and VFX via The Mill, displaying Ohe’s versatile visual style.
Says Ohe: “The Diablo universe has such epic scope with a very passionate fanbase, so we needed to be as authentic as possible, while building emotion and journey into the piece.”
In regard to the powerful call-and-response narrative and performances delivered to camera, Ohe adds: “Breaking the fourth wall is always a delicate line to execute well cinematically, so we were conscious that each line of dialogue needed to be as powerful as the battles and Saviours that answer them. Grounded, authentic performances from all of our actors was key.”
Recently, Ohe embarked on another technical challenge with VFX house The Mill, teaming up to craft a campaign for NIO electric cars that filmed on location in South Africa with no car on set and involved entirely CG car shots. Currently, he is travelling across North America completing a project for iconic workwear label Carhartt.
His recent Australian work includes the 2022 release of his ‘I Still Call Australia Home’ campaign for Qantas.
If you’d like to enquire about working with him, please get in touch: alex@rabbitcontent.com.au
To view more of his work, click here.
