The 90s Nostalgia that Influences Gravy Films Director Duo Trent & Marlena’s Visually Stunning Narratives

Trent & Marlena are a dynamic directorial duo, recognised for their ability to craft visually stunning narratives layered with authentic emotion.

Their work blends cinematic precision with heartfelt storytelling, striking a balance between universal truths and bold creativity. Together, they bring a collaborative and deeply human perspective to every project, creating stories that leave a lasting impact. As co-directors, their unique partnership allows them to approach every project with a shared vision and meticulous attention to detail.

Brooklyn-based but globally active, Trent and Marlena continue to push boundaries in storytelling while splitting their time between creative projects and gently correcting the pronunciation of their last name.

LBB> The ad/music video from our childhood that stays with us.
Trent & Marlena> We’re both products of ’90s MTV and the era of unskippable commercials, so plenty of visuals still live rent free in our heads. Since there are two of us, it only feels right to share one of each.

Trent> Starting with music videos, after ‘Thriller’? It’s Metallica’s ‘One’.MTV was overflowing with wild, high-concept visuals back then, and as a kid, it was captivating. But One was stripped down—nothing crazy. It was a black-and-white head-banging jam session spliced with haunting footage from the anti-war movie ‘Johnny Got His Gun’. It was unsettling. I’d watch it, feel something shift, and then watch it again.

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