Get the Promonews daily round up

User Accounts

Get the Promonews daily round up

Arcade Fire 'We Exist' by David Wilson

David Knight - 19th May 2014

David Wilson delivers a righteous, ultimately joyous accompaniment to a classic Arcade Fire cri de ceour We Exist, thanks to a gripping performance by Andrew Garfield, showing that he is a more courageous actor than the Amazing Spider-Man allows. 

In fact, this also involves a change of garb, but a more profound transformation. The Garfield character's need to express himself as a woman leads him to a bar where he puts himself at the mercy of the local rednecks. But the predictable outcome of victimisation and violence - with echoes of Boys Don't Cry, the film about the murder of transgender teenager Brandon Teena – gets turned on its head.

Drama becomes fantasy, as Garfield's aggressors become dancers - this is the second collaboration in quick succession, between David Wilson and choreographer Ryan Heffington who (as well as working on the Sia Chandelier video) choreographed David's superb video for Hercules & Love Affair's I Try To Talk To You.

And then comes the brilliant payoff. Garfield is led by his dancer guardian angels through a portal into the real world: Coachella 2014, and Arcade Fire are playing We Exist. A moved (or quite possibly terrified) Garfield joins the band on stage. What a moment. 

Tags

  • BUG
  • Narrative
  • Promos
  • Indie Rock

Featured sponsors

Popular content

Feedback

Problem with this page? Let us know

Credits

Log in or sign up to PRO to see 16 more credits on this video.

Production/Creative

Director
Producer
Production Company
Executive Producer
1st AD

Camera

Director of Photography
Steadicam

Art

Art Director

Wardrobe

Stylist

Choreography

Choreographer

Casting

Casting director

Editorial

Editor
Editing company

Grading

Colourist
Colour grade company

VFX

VFX
VFX Company

Agent

Director's Rep (UK)

David Knight - 19th May 2014

Related Content

Industry News