A new video directed by Heath Ledger has been released by Modest Mouse. The animated clip is for the song “King Rat” and shows humans being hunted and killed at sea by whales, reflecting the late actor’s opposition to the commercial whale hunting which takes place off the coast of his native Australia.
Ledger approached Modest Mouse singer Isaac Brock with the idea for the video in January 2007. According to a press release issued by Modest Mouse, “The video was fully conceived down to the last detail but unfinished when Heath passed away in January 2008. In the interest of fully realizing Heath’s final work as a visual artist, THE MASSES (a film and music company which Heath was partner in) finished the video in his honor, with the support and advocacy of Isaac Brock.” The clip will be available for download on iTunes from August 7th.
In my opinion, the result is a weird, well crafted, and compelling piece of polemic reminiscent of the animated work of Ledger’s friend and two-time director Terry Gilliam. Do you agree? And do you think it is appropriate for the video to have been finished after Ledger’s tragic death?
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Photo Credit: Ledger: Laura Cavanaugh/Landov; Brock: David Atlas/Retna Ltd
The video is awesome! Alot of people are doing the animated thing nowadays, but this is definitely one of the best and it’s yet another reminder of how talented Heath was. I love the song!
God, what an awful song.
Brilliant! I have to admit watching this powerful video made me tear up, the subject matter was touching and harsh to say the least. It is so amazing how something as tragic as Heath’s death has brought about such great spirit after he has gone. He was obviously talented and committed to his causes! The imagery in this video is just brilliant although violent. But, that is the point. Not sure about the song but I will never forget the video after seeing it once and I am glad to see the proceeds are going to Heath’s cause for the first month!
I´m glad the video got finished. It´s a real testament to Heath Ledger´s talent and personality that his friends won´t let his projects go to waste.
This one is quite intense and if it is reminiscent of Gilliam´s style of animation, it is probably because Heath originally wanted Terry to do the animation for this.