Famous for their vivid and evocative music Sigur Rós have invited a dozen directors to each interpret a track from their latest album Valtari adding their personal visual interpretation to the Icelandic groups' soundscape. The results have been unpredictable but equally brilliant and although independently directed, several common themes have emerged from the series entitled Mystery Film Experiment.
While the differences between each video are markedly clear, it is the thematic similarities that startle when the videos are viewed sequentially. Leitmotifs such as the rubbing of the natural world with the modern human environment and dream-like sequences echo throughout and work to lend this collection of beautifully filmed short films an
unforgetable pathos and emotional continuity.
After releasing one video per week online the series will reach it's zenith when Sigur Rós premier the screening of the series on the weekend 9-11th December across all 7(!) continents. Curiously several international cities with artistic inclinations have been left off the list thus far (Berlin, London, Melbourne, Paris).
The latest release comes from Swedish director Christian Larson and features two dancers in an abandoned space, the hues and quality of the light are suggestive of a north-european location. Moving painfully and beautifully, the fragility of the human form is laid bare; the physicality of their movement is emphasised by the raw, animal stare shared late in the sequence that encapsulates and yet fiercely denies the co-dependance of individuals upon others. This blending together the modern world with nature both in the crumbling, deserted building and within themselves is a thought provoking aesthetic joy to behold.
Director Christian Larson writes: 'I've always been inspired by dance, so i
wanted to tell a short story
with dialogue through movement, without anyone saying anything. Sidi
Llarbi Cherkaoui's extraordinary choreography created this unique
communication between the dancers James O'Hara & Nicola Leahey.
Larbi's way of working with flexibility played as an interesting
contrast to the harsh environment in which matthias montero's pure and
ethereal style of cinematography allowed an intimate portrait of the
couple'.
Watch the video below and enjoy the other videos in the series- noteworthy appearances by prominent actors, Shia LeBeouf (Transformers) and Aidan Gillen (The Wire) are worth watching, especially with Shia's upcoming appearance in Lars von Trier's The Nymphomaniac.
MOST VIDEOS ARE NSFW, be warned.
