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. 

Featured sponsors

David Knight - 19th May 2014

Tags

  • BUG
  • Narrative
  • Promos
  • Indie Rock

Popular content

Feedback

Problem with this page? Let us know

Credits

Production/Creative

Director
David Wilson
Producer
Jason Baum
Production Company
The Director's Bureau
Executive Producer
Sue Yeon Ahn
1st AD
Jesse Fleece

Camera

Director of Photography
Larkin Seiple
Steadicam
Ari Robbins

Art

Art Director
Jason Kisvarday

Wardrobe

Stylist
Francis & Pereira

Choreography

Choreographer
Ryan Heffington

Casting

Casting director
Hayley Simpson/Plaster Casting

Editorial

Editor
Thomas Grove Carter
Editing company

Grading

Colourist
Simon Bourne
Colour grade company
Framestore

VFX

VFX
Chris Bristow
VFX Company
Munky

Agent

Director's Rep (UK)
Colonel Blimp

Other credits

Lead Actor

Andrew Garfield

Dancers

Hani Abaza, Tom Pardoe, Logan Schyvynck, and Austin Westbay

Gang

Preston Acuff, Gregoer Boru, Jacob Peacock and Steven Vulin

Old Couple

Barbara Conway and Greg Lucey

Bartender

John Whitaker

Super 8mm footage (unused, but very much appreciated)

Tag Christof

Special thanks

Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival

Very special thanks

Our Lady J who was an integral source of knowledge and wisdom as well as a pillar of strength and support throughout the process of making this film. We love you.

David Knight - 19th May 2014

Related Content

Industry News

Promonews logo

Music video creativity everyday.

promonewspromonewstvpromonews.tv
Submit your video