With their return-to-form record “The Suburbs” winning a surprise victory for Album of the Year at the Grammys last night, Arcade Fire are pretty much at the top of the world right now, and as longtime fans of the band, we’re delighted. But the band’s ambitions clearly don’t stop here: they’re going for part two of the EGOT, with a short film collaboration with Spike Jonze that was announced last year, making our filthy hipster brains explode.
The first fruits of the film was seen at the end of last year in abbreviated form, in the video for the title track from the record, but the full 28 minute short premieres this week at the Berlinale along with news as to when the rest of us might be able to see it.
The Guardian picked up details about the project in Berlin, including the 28-minute running time, along with the previously reported names of the unknown cast members: Sienna Blau, Sam Dillon, Zoe Graham, Zeke Jarmon, Paul Pluymen and Ashlin Williamson. And this just isn’t an instance of a band hiring a top director and letting him/her do all the work; Arcade Fire executive produced the film, with their manager Scott Rodger, and the band’s frontman, Win Butler and his brother and bandmate Will, also co-wrote the script with Jonze.
Artist Marcel Dzama, who’s worked on record covers for the likes of Beck and The Weakerthans, and helmed the animated promo for the album, is also credited as a ‘concept artist.’ Here’s the cryptic synopsis:
“I wish I could remember every little moment. But I can’t. Why do I only remember the moments that I do. I wonder what happens to the others.” A group of suburban youths. Back then, in the summer, so long ago. They couldn’t leave town because outside the country was at war and the military controlled life and all gateways. The teenagers wander aimlessly about town. Winter is a long way off. And love and longing and friendship still mean – everything.”
According to The Guardian, the film should be released in May, as part of a special edition re-release of “The Suburbs,” which will also include a number of new songs from the band. In the meantime, anyone in Berlin can catch screenings on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, and the film will receive its North American premiere at SXSW next month. It’s safe to say that we’re excited. Check out their post-Grammy win performance below.