Childish Gambino's Short Film "Chicken and Futility" | Complex

[@backgrrroundguy]

I like to think of this as Atlanta Ep. 0 while Earn is at Princeton

[@benjeezyyabeezy]

holy shit that makes so much sense

[@GVBRXEL]

wow, you might be on to something

[@21visions11]

This man woke

[@paperchasindude6578]

Fr tho

[@TheJadynbp]

This is the boy, whole different world and character

[@GVBRXEL]

“We’re never gonna do that” idk why that resonates so much with me.

[@mattygeno]

Because you lazy bruh, you don’t even care to think for a minute about why you don’t know, like why that resonate with you 😂

[@ethanmathew3257]

there's always a deeper meaning to everything gambino does. otherwise, there would be no real point to this film other than a cool short film, which it was. -doing things just so he can say he can -people protesting people that hate you -chick-fil-a not being open on sunday, the urge to do things when you can't do them -the moth chasing after the wrong light -saying your going to do something and knowing youre not going to do that (selling chick-fil-a on sunday outside of the store)

[@jjs_arkade]

I think this ties in to the "because the internet" story

[@johnindigo5477]

@@jjs_arkade *theme

[@JhaaronLshae]

I met childish gambino in a daydream once, he told me "bro, just be you", and to this day I have remained Jhaaron Lshae

[@juggsxsnipes]

haha change that name though...

[@thegoldmolar6171]

Twist Clip nah the name tight

[@JhaaronLshae]

the gold molar and so are the bars

[@Mr-ep2qi]

I had a dream I met him at his concert. He was kinda a dick actually...

[@aarenas96]

dope name ha, notice the reference

[@tybond6463]

i fucking love his twisted existentialist approach on life.. i can watch this everyday..

[@augusttierney3199]

I know there is a deeper point to this, but the idea of selling chick-fil-a on Sunday should not be overlooked.

[@jjs_arkade]

This ties into the "because the internet" story

[@MojitoMatt]

Donald explaining that Moth metaphor is an example of it in itself. He’s showing his deeper side, his true self, but to the wrong people. He’s being who he’s supposed to be, but he’s in the wrong space.

[@mollusckscramp4124]

Deep

[@juanka1506]

i needed to read this today. thank u!

[@xlapse]

Seeing someones life played out like this is somewhat fascinating, he perfected casualty in film. I could honestly watch this film in full because of how relatable it is

[@GVen005]

It kinda shows how his friends aren't really interested in the boy. They're interested in the materiel things he has.

[@HybridDolphin]

you nailed it!!! he even admitted this in the Because the Internet Screeplay towards the end

[@udopiarecords]

Not even kinda, thats exactly what it is! He feels so different from his closest friends, thats why dude was amazed when he met Jhene, cause he felt understood, and similar to her

[@jjs_arkade]

"Got a house full of homies, why I feel so the opposite?"

[@miyeyoo]

that moth stuff is deep man. i feel like that in college... idk if im going towards the right light

[@MrRMbeatz]

same

[@fredjones762]

what are you majoring in?

[@MrRMbeatz]

i did a presentation in my college tech comms class defining the word futile. i played this video as well. i got a 94.

[@guinessdrinker_azc29]

Mieya Young I know what you're saying, im like that at university right now !!!

[@elstupido2233]

my dick if fluffy... i didn't go to college

[@MrRMbeatz]

I am using this video for a presentation for my technical writing class. I have to define the word futile. The president of the college will be present. I am about to blow their fucking minds.

[@DeOriginalDavid]

Dues Huxley how'd it go?

[@MrRMbeatz]

DeOriginalDavid i got a 94 on my presentation and a 90 on my essay.

[@DeOriginalDavid]

Dues Huxley thats awesome. Congrats on that man.

[@CaptainKickAss01]

Dues Huxley dude post your essay on the web and send us the link

[@runbeforeyoucant]

+Dues Huxley Dopeee

[@christianjfrank]

BINO, you just showcased how I feel when trying to open up and go into something that matters to me but is met with futility. THANK YOU

[@notryangosling3065]

This is basically Atlanta before Atlanta, everything about it is so similar

[@StaticbeyfrmSemoran]

I dont think y'all got that Interpretation om when he said the moth seems futile because he's searching for the wrong light. if u notice right after he said that he told them that they should sell chick fil LA biscuits on Sunday but buy them on Saturday. he used the same analogy and applied it to real life. by him wanting to sell biscuits hes inner self is telling him the right thing to do but not the right setting. he should approach that way of thinking and apply it to something more productive. he's a freaking mastermind

[@30hrs44]

Wow that's a great way of thinking of it. I love him

[@riwindrwall2853]

static 47 static 47 maybe your right and wrong I think he's using the analogy of being able to choose for our selves being able to deduct when something is a good or bad idea seeing as the moth just does believing it's right we can think about the actions ahead of time and we have a choice to follow through on stupid decisions or not.

[@duhJaank]

riwind rwall 👏👏👏

[@jnnx]

Yeah, it’s almost like he saw Clerks, or Slacker, and just did the same thing, but put his own twist on it...

[@ADKBuddy]

Same with the paper, focusing on the wrong paper 😩

[@party__SHY]

Bino the type of guy to tell Drake "you're better than this"

[@younesabdel7442]

oh how the tables have turned

[@theshadowninjaaa]

ahead of its time

[@jjs_arkade]

This is why because the internet is one of his best albums

[@j4n3m84]

The ending to this was genius

[@areaves20]

this shit is so real on so many levels. fuck.

[@bradcarriero488]

At the part about the moth, The moth is doing exactly what its supposed to but its just the wrong light. just like Clapping for the Wrong Reasons.......... anyone else pick up the analogy.

[@samich7371]

+Brad Carriero so meta

[@randumbbeats7588]

lol nah, elaborate? I guess I didnt pick that part up lol

[@Faithhail4233]

how does it relate.. can someone explain?

[@TheKiddballer21]

respond to us!

[@Faithhail4233]

+olliej21 I think he just means people are clapping, like the moth follows the light, but we're not clapping for the correct reason, like the moth is following the wrong light. Idk

[@DeadManeWolf]

I just realized the dude who said he wanted chic fil a is childish gambino/donald glover brother

[@daddymac970]

Damn. You can tell that's his brother by the nose

[@AmericanNerdLife]

that's his actual brother tho

[@jessw.6250]

You know the only thing I can tell?... Is that they rrrrreally like Chick Fil A.😒

[@alantomy1444]

But isn't his brother adopted?

[@stoneycarter6429]

He has a blood brother but in there household they have had a lot of adopted brothers and sisters in and out the house

[@TOWNERENTERPRISES]

So fresh. I have not owned a tv for over 13 years, and I really enjoy seeing your stuff as it pops up on youtube. It's always nice to see in real life other people creating thoughts into art just like I think. It's dope to not be lonely in the field of ideas and seeing others ideas come to fruition. It makes a point and speaks clear. I hope to work with you in the near future.

[@giovannigonzalez2416]

I just feel like i get this. on every level. even if there is nothing to get. I GET IT. It makes me feel like I get it. which makes me feel less lost in life.

[@cefballer101]

I'd assume this is an extra from "clapping for the wrong reasons", the title of which ties into Gambino's point on how we're taught to go towards the light but it might be the wrong light for us personally. e.g. we're taught to become doctors and lawyers when our light is supposed to be through art or music perhaps. Basically, this is like a bonus track. Are there any more of these?

[@gregorythe6th646]

I dont think so.

[@thequarrywoman1]

sorry im three late but you should definetly read the because the internet screenplay

[@DCSpoodle]

"Hey boi you write that paper yet?" 😏

[@stopaskingformyname9600]

lol i get it.

[@uhleeye1944]

DCspoodle Man ?

[@stopaskingformyname9600]

Aaliyah.mmxii paper boi

[@producekyro]

DCspoodle Man its “hey boy you roll that paper yet?” Gambino was learning to roll a J, so he can say that he can but not entirely

[@lizrooney8741]

Gambi's insight & intellect is beyond the masses. He is deeper than the 7 seas - respect.

[@mynar_lenahan]

I think that was deceptively sweet and honest. I was expecting like some silly funny or die thing with cheap pot jokes or something, but that was a really sweet short story with, like, a soul and stuff. I super liked it.

[@uhkeelay]

This is canonically somewhere on the BTI timeline.

[@breezydrews]

YES!!! Thanks for uploading this finally. I couldn't find a way to download it from the site and I wanted to gif it.

[@Kermit_E_Frog]

I couldn't stop staring at the middle dude's head.

[@goldengirlz7895]

Now I’m laughing

[@tankerteez614]

For those of you looking for the poem that was cited for the first 19 seconds it was called "Annie Died The Other Day" by E.E. Cummings.

[@caromarquez]

moths flock to light = correct action , but the lightbulb = wrong light people want chik fil a but it's not open sunday = correct action, but the chick fil a sold on sunday (but the guys) isn't authentic because it's food from saturday = wrong chick fil a literally how my brain thought of about what he said. Then my brain thought this video about chicken and moths made us all think more critically than any english class has ever done in the public school system.

[@jordanltaylor]

Idk why but I find myself watching this once a day for the past couple of weeks now..

[@Caesar_Online]

This is so well written

[@skistarno2]

He still aint roll the papar, peep his homeboy looking down at it in the last second

[@CoreyMcKinneyJr]

This dudes like me in a lot of ways..hes just the genius version :-/

[@guinessdrinker_azc29]

I feel exactly the same way man

[@SpaceyNYC]

I feel the same way haha

[@CoreyMcKinneyJr]

LoL weerd Arran Chander SpaceyNYC It Sucks..im boutta start eating hella olives/ blue berries and increase my memory/ IQ

[@apolloknight9691]

We are all geniuses that choose not to show it

[@guinessdrinker_azc29]

ThatDudeOnUtube don't forget fish buddy, fish is brainfood !!!

[@tatlifelover]

I strive everyday to be the best pretender.

[@TuxedoKnox]

I'm a classically trained liar....

[@Calmonay]

We're never gonna do that...

[@KaysAnimus]

this has given me chills every time for like, the last, 30 times or so

[@DoinHer69]

Dam I'm really glad I watched that! Wish there was more because this had me dying and it had some serious point to it as well. Please make more of these CG!

[@frostbyte317]

Funny how years later after this video drop he collabs with Adidas and uses the moth as an inspiration for his "Nizza" sneakers

[@pimp12927]

They play that street fighter vs snk...respect to gambino

[@MegaLakeStar]

prolly takes place between the end of the time the boy first gets home in the script and clapping for the wrong reasons.

[@AdiT306]

idk man cuz after his dad died he moved out the mansion and started selling drugs (pink toes) with the group. clapping for the wrong reasons takes place in the mansion, and it's kinda like the settings for the screenplay

[@larsolsen2594]

Everything in the video touches on futility, like the paper he's rolling is to Learn but not ever roll again, then chik fil a isn't open anyways so it's in vain then he talks bought the moth, and then they talk bought selling the biscuits knowing it's the smart thing to do then ends the film saying we're never going to do that like they're never going to make a difference not going to chik fil, and he's never going to need to roll that paper

[@KoalaDropEmOff]

Gambino is a fucking MASTERMIND!!!

[@spencProductions]

current hero

[@anonimus9921]

The last line sums up what he's been saying assuming you watch it through.

[@coreyburney2331]

This speaks to me!

[@boutclout]

This is the rough sketch of Atlanta.

[@therealestable]

I literally saw a moth near my candle when he said that

[@tatlifelover]

Nuh uhnn

[@thomashasson4707]

L

[@bigmone1991]

rekt in peace

[@moodyplus]

why do you have a candle near you? Are you a refugee?

[@jackfaulkner8479]

how does gambino look homeless but amazing at the same time? somebody please tell me

[@fabo36]

That Chik-Fila-A on Sunday shit is beyond true

[@brandoalt7510]

On his coffee table is Crap Kingdom by DC Pierson, from Derrick Comedy

[@sir_greendown]

Just noticed that the book on the table is DC Pierson's

[@yakub9933]

"we're never gonna do that" idk why but that line hits deep

[@alex-sm2iw]

The audio is of E Honda vs Adon but when they show the game it's C Viper vs Sakura

[@CIII328]

The Dream part on STN MTN makes so much sense

[@davontaereed8733]

At 1:50 you can see D.C piersons book Crap Kingdom. Sick.

[@wataloopus]

What's that book about?

[@davontaereed8733]

A boy named Tom Parking is taken from earth to a magical kingdom. He is chosen to restore the kingdom back to glory but he turns it down because the place sucks. The Kingdom then picks tom's best friend, Kyle, to replace him. He gets jealous cause Kyle has always been better than him, so he wants to take back that crappy kingdom back.

[@oceanp-dl7gf]

So tru. Always want chik-fil- a on sunday.

[@daniellefrancis9495]

this is honestly so very interesting. Now every time I see a moth I'm gonna cry

[@Althadonchi]

Ive had this exact chic fil a convo before lmao

[@TheAndreCato]

I like this over all subtle, smooth poignant. Stillness used well.

[@antoniojohnson7914]

vintage vibes.

[@stillmatic880]

He on some other shit with this directing writing and creation

[@nathanjoshua7354]

One of the shortest short films I've ever seen. But still interesting.

[@user-if8tb9ks9n]

I literally just teared up thinking about how detrimental our impact on nature is. That poor moth

[@CrystalMario64LPs]

I'd watch the shit out of this show.

[@okayskylar]

this was the most relatable thing I've ever watched

[@ftg419]

I think this might be a preview to the show he's suppose to be doing on fx

[@lemuelkayani6871]

i still watch this everyday

[@jesusavila8364]

It's doing the right thing but going to the wrong light...

[@MrBrohamSandwich]

I took shrooms last night and this all makes sense. Thank you.

[@kirstenDINO]

God I love Donald Glover, like damn, just DAMN. I was supposed to goto his Gambino concert and it got cancelled. Unfortunately it was the only location I could go to so suppper bummed.

[@gehazelmuse1507]

1:14 That’s The Funniest Truth Ever 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@ATRTAP]

Smooth and real. Loved it.

[@astronautjones7761]

Gambino is a Mastermind

[@harukiamida]

atlanta season 4 episode ten brought me back to this everyone sitting around watching the popeyes commercial

[@jsan2586]

Seems to me that the moth going towards the light parallels them playing video games rather than going through that chicken biscuit idea

[@lovestarlightgiver2402]

The chicken itself is futile. They want the wrong things and if they could get it Sunday then they would, just like the moth wants the fake moonlight of the artificial lightbulb

[@zequanstevens]

He's such a genius

[@JCDawghound]

Shouts outs to Street Fighter for the one time.

[@lacroixboix]

at like 15 seconds it shows him reading from over his shoulder, his legs are crossed. Then it cuts to a different frame and his legs are open.

[@orm1982]

'we're never going to do that'

[@JamesSmith-mb2jt]

"Doing the right thing but going to the wrong light" kind of like saying doing the right thing but for the wrong reasons, hence "clapping for the wrong reasons". But it doesn't matter of thinking of it that way because it's "futile" to think of it that way because we're going to do it or not do it anyways. Not supposed to be eating chick fil a but they're going to do it anyway, idea to sell biscuits on Sunday, great idea but they won't do it. Ya smell me son?

[@mieshiadyches]

I didn't know about the moth thing, and now I'm kinda sad about it... but more bc it reminds me of a bunch of other stuff

[@audidreamin]

I love how they're playing xbox, but the xbox console is actually sitting in the background, not connected. Interesting

[@DonTheMovieReviewer]

Chick-fill-a is the best chicken restaurant there is next to Cane's.

[@NBA2232]

Dope

[@ergman3]

Are there more of these? The Rap is great and all, but his videos are fucking awesome

[@labeolder6152]

This shit changed my life in high school lmao

[@KidatHeart3]

chick fil a still had the highest sales lol... and I love it. and yes there is a chemical in it that makes you want it on sunday....

[@mrkay4757]

“We’re never going to do that” Bro

[@TheMatchesMalone]

I wanna meet this man so badly

[@JL-yq9xn]

Dis is art

[@acefaaace]

Shout out to C. Viper

[@Detman101]

I miss having friends. Used to do stuff like this all the time....

[@bashbarti75]

Wow. Very compelling.

[@domthekidd6300]

Why is the audio for the game E.Honda Vs. Fuerte, but the video Sakura Vs. Viper... but good shit anyway

[@TigerBait-wo4wc]

To see if you noticed

[@domthekidd6300]

Hmmmm... Meta

[@r.n.e.6902]

+Domthekidd #realstreetfighterplayers lol

[@loganwendt778]

+Domthekidd Damn how'd you notice that?

[@loganwendt778]

***** Word. I'm everywhere on KZbin.

[@anitalopis5225]

hes so smart, genius

[@stankboxers]

I think that moth thing is a metahphor for life and meaning to life. You could be following the wrong light, and you'll die.

[@penepequeno1181]

deep as fuck i would cry if i could