Tango, Jonathan Glazer and the Grand National: The Work That Made Keith McCarthy
Keith McCarthy is a director with a screenwriter’s brain and a stuntman’s heart. He smells story before it’s written. Strips it to the bone, finds the pulse, brings it back bleeding and alive. On set, that instinct turns into sharp pictures, performances that cut, comedy that doesn’t miss.
He pulls the real out of people, whether it’s Beckham or Messi or a face you’ve never seen.
Keith likes action dirty and human. Chases, stunts, big setups, but never noise for the sake of it. Always about the person in the middle of the storm. He says he’s a feelings junkie. Thrills, chills, belly laughs. Anything that moves you, not just sells to you.
Awards? Sure. BAFTA, D&AD, British Arrows, Cannes Lions. But what matters is the hit: the laugh that breaks, the gasp in the throat, the chair that tips back too far. That’s Keith. He makes films that get under your skin and stay there.
Below Keith chats to LBB about what made Tango’s ‘You’ve Been Tangoed’ so iconic, meeting his creative heroes, and the breakout job that changed his career
The ad/music video from my childhood that stays with me…
Keith> The Tango ‘You’ve Been Tangoed’ ad. It always felt a bit naughty which obviously appealed to me. It had that perfect mix of chaos, slapstick and danger.
The ad/music video/game/web platform that made me want to get into the industry…
Keith> I’m a total Jonathan Glazer fanboy. Guinness ‘Swimblack’, Stella Artois ‘Ice Skating Priests’, Jamiroquai ‘Virtual Insanity’… take your pick. The man’s a genius. I was lucky enough to have lunch with him recently. He didn’t disappoint.
The creative work that I keep revisiting…
Keith> The Grand National film for Channel 4. It was my breakout job, part love letter to a childhood memory, part adrenaline shot. The brief was bold, the trust was real, and it changed everything for me.
My first professional project…
Keith> A Polish charity spot for Viva! Voice for Animals. I was a director’s assistant, showed a short film to the agency, and next thing I know, I’m directing it. Pure luck and a dodgy Polish accent. It taught me that momentum is everything – once the door opens, run through it.
The piece of work that made me so angry I vowed never to make anything like that…
Keith> Anything by Guy Ritchie. From one working-class Londoner to another, we’re not all geezers mate.
The piece of work that still makes me jealous…
Keith> Still Glazer. The man’s annoyingly good. Every frame feels like it was born fully formed from his head. Or anyone absolutely singular; Jovan, Pons Jewell, Leigh Powells…. Great talents.
The creative project that changed my career…
Keith> ‘Grand National. The one that opened all the doors and a few race tracks. People suddenly took me seriously, which was nice.
The work I’m proudest of…
Keith> They’re all my kids. Can’t pick a favourite. Some are just better behaved than others.
I was involved in this and it makes me cringe…
Keith> A gentleman never kisses and tells. Especially not in front of a client.
The recent project that excited me the most…
Keith> Honestly, whichever one I’ve just started. If you’re not excited at the beginning, you’re already dead. Always look forward, never back.
