Michael Kiwanuka shares a poignant video for Hero, directed by sibling directing team CC Wade. The song and visual both pay homage to leaders and important figures of the Civil Rights movement in America, particularly the Black Panthers and Black Power movement. References to Fred Hampton, Martin Luther King, Malcolm X, JFK, Sam Cooke, John Lennon, Marvin Gaye, Tupac and more crop up in the clip, as well as Kiwanuka in performance.The plot is also loosely based around Cointelpro, the covert FBI program that suppressed organizations and public figures suspected of being involved in or supporting anti-establishment political activity. "Hero is a song about how the gems of this world always seem to die young, and how those who are oppressed often seem to have the most to offer us,” Kiwanuka said in a statement.Superbly shot by DoP Jasper Wolf, the camera is in constant movement, exploring rooms and situations in an almost out-of-body POV. Like a fly on the wall, we are given quick snapshots of stories and encouraged to piece them together.Raw, frenetic and contemplative, the concept is executed perfectly by the Wade Brothers and their collaborators. A powerful work.
Rob Ulitski - 18th Oct 2019