It's a tale of two journeys, both of which are hopefully imaginary, in this jarring and compelling video for EDM artist Jon Hopkins.
Tom Haines, director: “Jon’s music has a transportive quality, which can be blissful and expansive, but can also be internal, and more aggressive, and Collider is at this end of the spectrum. We wanted to create an internal journey, which was unflinching, singular and claustrophobic and at the same time liberating. The video is like a voodoo ceremony, where the lead character dances herself into frenzy, and through the dance gains access to a parallel dimension; it’s her unfurling thoughts, her dislocated mind, and hints at something more apocalyptic - an end game for her and us."
Perhaps the name was a bad omen, since The Civil Wars are now in a state of polite strife — officially on hiatus due to "internal discord and irreconcilable differences of ambition," despite just releasing a brand new album that debuted at #1. It's a sad situation, even if you've been hoping/praying/waiting for a modern version of the Richard and Linda Thompson break-up classic, Shoot Out The Lights.
Obviously, neither Civil Wars member appear in the video. Director Tom Haines instead unfurl a haunting tale of love and death with a crew of modern-day rail jumpers that fits the band's vibe and current situation like a glove.
