SERENA WILLIAMS, CARA DELEVINGNE AND NEYMAR STAR IN BEATS BY DRE’S STIRRING FILM

Editor’s Pick

Serena Williams, Cara Delevingne, Neymar Jr., Kris Wu and Michael K. Williams all appear in a stirring new video from Beats by Dre, part of its “Above the Noise” campaign.

Set to Ruel’s “Don’t Tell Me”, and directed with some stunning imagery by Terence Neale via Park Pictures, the four and a half minute film was created by JohnXHannes. It shows young people struggling to succeed in their chosen fields, in nods to the lives of the celebrities who also feature.

The spot begins by an uncle (played by Michael K. Williams) telling his niece a bedtime story about “some kids who could shut off their ears” as we see vignettes from what seem to be the childhoods of the celebrities later featured. They deal with issues like bullying, parental pressure and sexism, but find the mental strength to succeed, facing down symbolic storms and deserts on their journey. Later, Williams is pictured rocking her newborn baby, Delevingne faces off wolves in a forest before a kickboxing session and Wu performs in a recording studio.

It’s a fairytale, basically, about having the ability to face down “the noise” — clearly a good brand fit with headphones (the film introduces the new Beats Studio 3 Wireless, with Pure Adaptive Noise Cancelling technology). What’s more, it will no doubt appeal strongly to fans of all those featured.