Watch Childish Gambino’s New Short Film

With his own comedy series on FX, a lighter role on Community, and a sharp focus on collaborating within music, CHILDISH GAMBINO (aka Donald Glover) is tapping into a new hemisphere of creativity. Take his new short film for example; Clapping For The Wrong Reasons was written and produced by Gambino, and it is a piece that’s as melancholic as it is unsettling and humorous. It’s confused quite a few people as it features friends, conversations with producer Flying Lotus and Danielle “Topanga” Fishel, and even transitions to a scene where emerging MCs Trinidad Jame$ and Chance The Rapper play an intense game of Connect Four (“This decision is pivotal… right?”).

But even with the imagery, fans of the video for “Bonfire” will find something aesthetically pleasing and comforting with Clapping For The Wrong Reasons. Director Hiro Murai, who’s worked on videos such as Earl Sweatshirt’s “Hive” and St. Vincent’s “Cheerleader”, reinvents the appeal of film and even pushes the almost improv-like dialogue to question if Clapping is solely about Gambino discovering himself. Others may see a certain side of him but do they know about his personality as a whole? As you can tell, it gets deep so watch it below and shed your own opinion.