Charlie Rowe Channels Raw Grief in Dermot Kennedy’s Haunting ‘Funeral’ Video

​Charlie Sarsfield’s new promo for Dermot Kennedy’s latest release, Funeral, is rooted in a connection that began almost a decade ago. First discovering Dermot when he had only a few thousand followers, Charlie reached out instinctively, and years later, they’ve finally come together to create something visually beautiful.

The brief itself was intentionally open, with the key parameters being a shoot in Ireland and a narrative-led approach that did not position Dermot as the central character. Casting Charlie Rowe proved pivotal, with his performance capturing the quiet torment of losing someone and being forced to exist in the empty space they once occupied. Alongside Dermot, he brings the emotional core of the film vividly to life.

The visual language draws subtle inspiration from Irish folklore and old bedtime stories, some carrying darker undertones. These references are intentionally understated, left for those who notice them “I loved digging into some of these stories, but will leave them to the eagle eyed, or should Isay ‘crow-eyed!" Charlie joked.

Stylistically, the approach was deliberately raw and gritty. Handheld cameras were chosen to keep the lens close and unsettled, mirroring the emotional state of the character. The result is a film that feels uneasy, and emotionally exposed - placing the audience directly inside the world of the story, rather than observing it from a distance.

Ultimately, the film becomes less about telling a story, and more about letting the emotion of the song linger - raw, unresolved, and quietly haunting.