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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. 

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David Knight - 19th May 2014

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  • BUG
  • Narrative
  • Promos
  • Indie Rock

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David Knight - 19th May 2014

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