Greg Barth explores the irony of growing up in the modern world, in his spectacular video for Purple Disco Machine's Fireworks. 

Depicted as a dance battle between Gen Z and a group of Boomers, the video alludes to many crises that face the human race today; climate change, the use of fossil fuels and overconsumption being just a few examples. 

And whilst the Gen Z pack start off with their own minds, fighting against these injustices, they are soon twisted and distorted into an older way of thinking - leaving a planet in the midst of destruction, exploding and crumbling as the glossy dance number comes to its crescendo. 

Thought-provoking work with an accessible and unique twist.

GREG BARTH:

It got me thinking about postwar baby boomers singing these words as kids, but messing up the planet as they aged. 

"The first time I heard the track I knew straight away that this was going to be an amazing project. The track is filled with dreams and positivity, and after what seems like an eternal lockdown, there suddenly was light at the end of the tunnel.

"However when I heard the chorus - sung by children imagining dreams of better days and tomorrows - there was a bittersweetness to this call for change: every generation wants the same thing, yet the world these generations shape as they grow up has gotten more and more industrialised and polluted.

"It got me thinking about the post-war baby boomer generation singing these words as kids, but messing up the planet as they aged. 'Better days and tomorrows' for them was linked to comforts and privileges, but the same words for today's generation speak more for healing and safeguarding our planet, so there was an interesting contrast to play with here.

"With climate change and generational miscommunication thrown in the mix, I wanted to craft a musical a la West Side Story, except where two generations oppose each other over what "Better Days and tomorrows" could symbolise.

"Ultimately, the Gen-Z get corrupted by the privileges and comforts the baby boomers advertise, leading to a dying planet that continues to be ignored, in a bittersweet finale that is as sad in theory as it is glorious to watch. A subversive ending that hammers home the ironic tone concealed under the films' joyous surface.

"Making this definitely was an ambitious undertaking, with a large group of dancers and a tight choreography that had to be created in a matter of days. Poland was the perfect place for us to undertake this project, with such a vibrant dance culture and great locations.

"The Gen-Z and Baby Boomers are seen through the eyes of a millennial (me), hence the anachronistic world the film is set in. The Warriors, Michael Jackson's Bad and Escape from New York were key to drench this world in the proper late 70' early 80's vibe, and it was a blast making sure our set, props, hair and styling could fulfil this vision.

"It was such a thrill bringing this ambitious idea to life, and I couldn’t be prouder of our crew and the final film."