The music combined many different sounds, from screamo to the Palestinian tabla. The Zaghrouta — a high-pitched rhythmic sound, or uluation, typically used as an expression of sorrow, joy, celebration, or reverence in Middle Eastern and North African cultures combined with strong techno music created by Skrillex giving to this track an international atmosphere inspired by two parts of the globes. This mix between traditional and new technology is what also inspired this story about a new work, conquered by women in Middle East, free.

On February 6th, a 7.8 magnitude earthquake devastated Turkey and Syria, killing over 50,000 people and leaving millions without water, shelter or food.

Filmed in Turkey, with Nai Barghouti, a singer, composer, and flutist from Palestine, the video revolves around female passion and rage, liberation, duality of culture, freedom of choice and resistance, shedding a light on the resilience of Arab women who are leading revolutions in systems that are designed against them. A real tattoo on the lead character neck reads ‘Mokawma’, 'Rebellion’ in Arabic.

The cast of this feminist music video was entirely local, only shooting with women from Turkey and Iran.

The dancing - led by Turkish dancer duo- in a choregraphy created by Damien Jallet suggests a metaphor for fight and resistance: our lead won’t stop dancing (or fighting) until her very last breath.

Situation: director aims to create a captivating music video for "Xena", her first music video direction.

Brief: The goal is to craft an innovative and visually stunning music video that reflects the energy and essence of the song. Highlight the artistic expression and originality of the sound through evocative imagery and visually immersive storytelling.

Objective: Position the music video as a remarkable work of artistic creativity and cinematic achievement. Capture the audience's attention and generate increased interest in the song and director. Create a memorable visual experience that leaves a lasting impression on viewers, while showcasing a powerful message.

The film reinforced the power and popularity of Skrillex in the music industry, especially just after doing his comeback. The video, due to its feminist and socially committed topic was well received by the audience, not only in the US but worldwide and in Turkey as well.

The music video got over 2 million 765 000 views on YouTube since its release in July, with more than 3 200 comments, which shows a strong engagement from Skrillex's fanbase but also viewers in general.

The creative idea was to showcase a powerful feminist music video, at the time where Turkey and Iran were devastated by an earthquake.

The goal was to focus on those powerful women and highlight their fight towards revolution, in countries where everything had to be built again; to show that in the midst of the chaos, women where resisting, thirsty for life.

We wanted to show the duality in the culture, as well as in the hearts of the people, between modernity and tradition, with passion and rage. Those women want to be free, more than ever, even if the world has fallen apart they will be standing on their feet, dancing and building it again, like a phoenix rising from the ashes.

A team of over 75 creatives in total worked on the short film. This music video feels like a film, an art piece and was treated as such by the Hummer museum of Los Angeles which projected it in September 23.

Shooting with local people was of utmost importance, the music featuring a Palestinian singer and the video taking place in Turkey. Therefore, the cast of this feminist music video was entirely local, and the talented sisters dancers were also from there.

It was a challenging shoot with a diversity of locations and landscapes, making a parallel between modernity (city) and ancestral nature (desert).

The powerful message and the beauty of the shots, perfectly in sync with the music, required a well organized team who joined forces to create this mind-blowing music video. We can sense the unity of women on screen, their energy.

After its release, numerous art and music magazine including Rolling Stones acclaimed both the music and the video itself, applauding the "powerful series of scenes wherein women resist and overcome violence through music, dance and emotion."(EDM) This video was received as a "cinematic" experience, sending a powerful feminist message, especially after the earthquake.

In tandem with the video, Skrillex has announced partnering with OXFAM International to support donations towards the Turkey-Syria Earthquake Appeal, to support those who may be experiencing displacement and similar circumstances as a result of the event.

The "Xena" music video got over 2 million 765 000 views on YouTube since its release in July, reaching a broad audience within the US, UK, United Arab Emirates, Japan, Australia or France for example. In the comments, viewers often describe the video as powerful, highlighting its realness. Many express the talent of the director and her innovative vision.