Department for Opportunities / Social Mobility Foundation: Stay Down

The Department for Opportunities - the Social Mobility Foundation's advocacy and campaigning arm - has launched its second campaign to raise awareness of the Class Pay Gap. Following on from the success of last year’s Class Polish campaign, which used comedian, Fern Brady to highlight the ridiculous of classism in the workplace, this year’s campaign takes a more sinister turn. Once again partnering with Creature London, the Department for Opportunities has created a short Horror Film starring Michael Socha (This is England, Being Human, Chernobyl), Jo Hartley (This is England, Eddie the Eagle, After Life) and Jonathan Hyde (Titanic, Jumanji, The Queen). Directed by Thomas James and produced by OB Management, Stay Down is set in a typical corporate office. In it we see our working-class hero (Michael Socha) doing everything expected of him, yet still having to navigate constant subversive discrimination. Including from his elitist boss, superbly played by screen legend Jonathan Hyde. The film dramatises the insidious, unseen nature of classism as a sinister presence, striving to hold him down physically, and mentally, while strangely sparing others around him - who are therefore able to continue on and succeed, due to that privilege. It’s a disturbingly surreal yet ultimately recognisable story, wrapped up as a seemingly real upcoming blockbuster – complete with a stunning cast. The trailer for the film also acts as the hero ad in the campaign. The 60-second film follows all the conventions of a traditional movie trailer, teasing viewers and includes a haunting cover of Radiohead’s No Surprises composed by legendary Icelandic artist Högni and performed by up and coming Scottish-Chinese singer songwriter Seil Lien, secured by Major Tom Music. But just as you are about to add it to your ‘must watch list’, the film cuts to reveal the campaign’s messaging – ‘Some Horrors aren’t fiction. Classism is still holding people down.’ Media planning is being managed by Wavemaker. The trailer will be shown in cinema across the UK and will be supported by films posters on digital OOH and in print in this Halloween’s Guardian on Sunday.