Photo via The Masses
Have you seen the newly-released Modest Mouse video for “King Rat?” Conceived and directed by the late Heath Ledger, the animated video raises awareness about the evils of modern whaling by turning the tables: in this scenario, it’s whales that hunt humans.
Sadly, Heath passed away before the video was finished. The production company the Masses completed the project in his honor with Modest Mouse’s blessing.
And if you’re a little disturbed by the final product, be thankful that some scenes were cut, including one where whales eat sushi made with human fingers. Eeeew.
Of course, the images are meant to be provocative. Heath was a strong advocate against illegal commercial whale hunts that occurred off the coast of his native Australia each year, and hoped to call attention to the issue through this video. As co-director and illustrator Dan Auber elaborates:
“The powerful song by Modest Mouse was a major inspiration. Isaac’s dramatic voice was driving us towards a deranged imaginative territory…. The clip had to be shocking. The fun we were having was less important than the strength of Heath’s message in favour of marine wildlife.”
During the first month of its release, proceeds from iTunes video downloads will go to the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society, an international nonprofit committed to conserving and protecting marine habitat and wildlife.
