Two of my two favorite things in the world have finally come together. Arcade Fire and Spike Jonze have teamed up for the music video for “The Suburbs.”
Spike Jonze has really outdone himself on this video, amplifying the raw emotions of the song. The opening shots feature a group of gangly adolescents in the glory of their youth, riding bikes, getting in trouble, and falling in love for the first time. It quickly devolves into the main themes of the record: boredom, an underlying angst, and a mysterious Suburban War replete with night raids, arrests, and M16 wielding troops. Bubbling beneath the surface of their carefree lives, is this widening war that eventually invades their lives forever scarring their youthful idealism.
What’s impressive is Spike Jonze’s ability to create so much emotion with simple glances and no dialogue. His ability to establish narratives, emotional bonds between characters, and wrench at your heart strings is truly impressive. I’m still trying to get over his last short, I’m Here.
On a side note, after watching the video, I now recognize the mysterious footage that was playing in the background during their Madison Square Garden show, shot by the legendary Terry Gilliam.
Watch for Win and Regine’s brief cameo about half way through as shot gun wielding cops. That huge goofy grin on Win’s face is priceless.
Enjoy.
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