Blinkink has unveiled this richly imaginative stop-motion film for Dior titled A Ride of the Moon, directed by Nina Gantz and Renee Zhan, and voiced by 070 Shake. Conceived as a collaborative triumph of human craft, the film stands as a poetic reminder of the value of handmade artistry in an era increasingly shaped by automation and AI.
Inspired by classical cinema–most notably Georges Méliès’ Voyage dans la Lune–the film for Dior’s Lunar New Year campaign is a baroque-infused journey that blends cinematic language with theatrical illusion. Set within an ornate 18th-century French theatre, it unfolds as a modern fairy tale told through flamboyant design, charming stop-motion animation and playful surrealism.
The film builds around a Lunar New Year story, where a brave little horse’s showdown with a powerful, sassy adversary plays out. While cinematic and ambitious in scope, the film never takes itself too seriously, finding humor in exaggerated performances and clever theatrical tricks.
The horse character is modelled after the Dior horse charm, assembled from sewing components and brought to life through meticulous stop-motion craftsmanship. The Moon appears as a Marie Antoinette-esque figure, who brings humor through an over-the-top performance.
The production embraces old-school theatre mechanics to enhance its sense of wonder. Strings holding up clouds are deliberately visible, trapdoors open in the stage floor and sheets of translucent fabric become shimmering fountains. These visible illusions celebrate the joy of theatrical ingenuity and handmade problem-solving.
The sets were entirely hand-painted and constructed, combining flat, painted backdrops with half-2D, half-3D elements. Layered sets, forced perspective and cinematic lighting create depth and spatial richness, allowing audiences to feel fully immersed in the world and its characters.
This project marks a collaboration between two directors celebrated for their mixed-media mastery. Gantz, who previously crafted two acclaimed films for Loewe, continues her creative relationship with Jonathan Anderson at Dior, bringing her distinctive tactile sensibility to the brand’s storytelling. Zhan, known for her work on high-profile campaigns for McDonald’s with Wieden+Kennedy, complements the partnership with her cinematic and character-driven approach.
