Experimental Musician Elvin Brandhi Strengthens Soundtrack for Beatrice Gibson’s ‘At Night’ Film
British filmmaker Beatrice Gibson’s debut feature-length film, At Night, intertwines the vibrant sights and sounds of Paris with the intimate stories of six women. The film explores themes of hope, dreams, sexual desires, and concerns about the future. It is set to premiere on August 8, 2026, as part of the Filmmakers of the Present competition at the 79th edition of the Locarno Film Festival.
A Unique Cinematic Experience
The film is described as an experimental and “autofictional” work, emphasizing rhythm and mood. Giona A. Nazzaro, the artistic director of the Locarno Film Festival, characterized it as a “nocturnal, ambient film” that evokes the soundscapes reminiscent of Brian Eno. He noted that if At Night were a record, it would serve as “music for lonely people at night.”
Gibson wrote and directed the film, collaborating with her long-time cinematographer Ben Rivers and editor Liyo Gong. However, the film’s soundtrack is crafted by Elvin Brandhi, not Brian Eno.
Elvin Brandhi: A Rising Star in Experimental Music
Elvin Brandhi, the pseudonym of Freya Edmondes, is an improvisational voice and sound artist originally from Wales. Her music incorporates unique beats derived from field recordings, her voice, tape, vinyl, and various instruments. Brandhi is also known for her collaborations with diverse musical projects, including Yeah You, Pollution Opera, Avril Spleen, PFL, and Bahk.
At Night marks Brandhi’s first feature film soundtrack. The film features non-professional actors discussing topics such as sexuality, money, motherhood, and mental health. The project is described as “a love letter to friendships, relationships, and the quiet yet poignant stories women share together but rarely to an audience.”
The Soundtrack Creation Process
Brandhi noted that working on At Night represents a significant milestone in her career. She explained that while she has previously composed music for short films, this project required a different approach. Brandhi emphasized the need to create a soundtrack that complements the film’s narrative without overpowering it.
She mentioned that her usual style is more direct and assertive, while film soundtracks often require a subtler presence. The Parisian setting, particularly the metro, played a crucial role in her creative process, providing ambient noise and frequencies that inspired her work.
Brandhi and Gibson’s paths crossed serendipitously at the Borealis experimental music festival in Bergen, Norway. Their friendship blossomed quickly, leading to a collaborative and intimate working relationship on At Night. Brandhi received an early draft of the script, which evolved during the filmmaking process. They spent a week brainstorming ideas before shooting began.
Collaboration and Contributions
The soundtrack was developed through ongoing collaboration, with Brandhi highlighting the contributions of editor Liyo Gong, who possesses a strong musical sensibility in her editing. Additionally, Crystabel Riley contributed drum sounds to the soundtrack, weaving her work into various parts of the film.
Brandhi expressed her desire to continue working on feature film soundtracks in the future, finding the experience of composing from a different perspective both interesting and fulfilling. She also noted the impact of Gibson’s live performance on her understanding of the film’s emotional landscape.
Future Projects
Brandhi’s involvement in At Night has reignited her interest in video work, as she has previously engaged in filming and editing. She shared her plans to return to these creative avenues, inspired by her experience with the film.
In addition to her film work, Brandhi is collaborating with Berlin-based Kenyan musician KMRU under the name A|||oy. Their upcoming album, set to release on KMRU’s label offnot, showcases their shared affinity for field recordings and sound textures. Brandhi expressed excitement about their collaborative efforts, which have evolved over three years and include work completed during residencies in Sweden and Oxfordshire.
As reported by www.hollywoodreporter.com.
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Published on 2026-08-08 13:40:00 • By FAME Delivered News Desk