From Narrative to Commercials with Dimitri Yuri
In this fascinating episode of The Ajyal Show, Dimitri Yuri, a Brazilian writer and director based in Doha, reflects on his personal style and the recurring themes in his work. Renowned for exploring heavy existential topics like death, Dimitri sheds light on how these themes have shaped his narrative films over the years. He contrasts his approach to narrative filmmaking with the creativity required in commercial projects, highlighting how commercials, despite their short format, allow for deep character exploration and can be as fulfilling as narrative work.
Dimitri also discusses the influence top commercial directors have had on his work and how they often bring a distinct style to their projects, making them as impactful as films. He opens up about the challenge of balancing personal creative projects with professional commercial work and the importance of finding time to develop his own films while continuing to evolve as a director.
Known for creating commercials that evoke bittersweet emotions and nostalgia, Dimitri explains how he blends emotional depth in both mediums. He also shares invaluable advice for aspiring filmmakers, encouraging them to immerse themselves in cinema, start creating early, and embrace collaboration in their work.
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More About Our Guest Dimitri Yuri
Dimitri Yuri is a Brazilian filmmaker based in Doha, recognised for his ability to blend visual creativity with deep, emotionally resonant stories. After majoring in Art History at Virginia Commonwealth University, Dimitri transitioned into filmmaking and quickly gained prominence. He won the Best Narrative Award at the Ajyal Film Festival 2019 for his short film ‘Falling Leaves’.
Dimitri has since built a successful career in commercial filmmaking, directing campaigns for major brands like Netflix, FIFA, Qatar Museums, and TikTok. Despite the demands of commercial work, Dimitri continues to pursue narrative filmmaking and is currently developing his first feature film. He is passionate about bridging the emotional depth of narrative films with the visual creativity of commercials and continues to inspire young filmmakers through his work and mentorship.