If Saint Motel were merely a band, they would still be able to get by on their musical talent. But the interesting thing about Saint Motel, and what keeps audiences and fans coming back is the bands visual presence. They are as much filmmakers, as they are musicians and they are damn good at both.
Their latest video for their song “Dear Dictator” is a dark, artsy film that glorifies the high energy music behind it. It is a raucous video that has moments of frightening beauty, and a little bit of pleasing gore. The video seems to be shot in real time, as the set up and deconstruction of sets are filmed with a high speed camera that give the video a surreal feeling.
It is obvious that Saint Motel are well versed in the art of cinema. The video is even book ended by an eerie chorus, and equally frightening scenes, that would normally be reserved for movies. But the “Dear Dictator” video is a movie, complete with beginning, middle, and end. The video follows the life of a man, from his childhood in the gutter, to fame, to being gunned down as an aged man by a bikini clad army. From the opening frame the lighting sets a lonely, haunting tone and the transitions between the characters age are flawlessly done.
But the video is not as clean cut as that. There seems to be many hidden messages and is open to a wide variety of interpretations. The red tape on the mouths of the band members, the transition of power, the use of the television, the army helmets are all their for a specific reason. There doesn’t seem to be any accidents. The video is well planned and thought out, and everything on screen appears for a reason.
The video is very well done but it does not over shadow the song, it enhances it. The music sounds like an anthem and marches wildly along. A/J Jackson’s voice sours above the music, with sometime operatic tones. “Dear Dictator” is a great song, but to get the full feel of Saint Motel, make sure to check out the video.
Saint Motel “Dear Dictator” – Video
Learn more Saint Motel by visiting their Myspace and their official web site.
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Extremely well written article & nice band!