It’s been just over a year and a half since the late great actor that was Heath Ledger passed away, however even to this day his legacy is still living on, this time in the form of a music video.
Later on today (Tues, Aug 4) sometime a Heath Ledger directed music video for Modest Mouse’s “King Rat” single will drop online @ Myspace music.
According to a statement released via Modest Mouse’s myspace blog; In January of 2007, while visiting his homeland of Australia, Heath Ledger presented Isaac Brock of Modest Mouse with an idea to direct a video for their yet-to-be-released song †King Rat’.
Heath’s vision, brave and unapologetic in its nature, would marry his love of bold and original music with his impassioned stance against the illegal commercial whale hunts taking place of the coast of Australia each year. Always one to operate from his heart and take a stand for what he cared deeply about, Heath’s intention was to raise awareness on modern whaling practices through a potent visual piece without having to say a word. It was his way to let the story, in its candid reversal, speak for itself.
The video was fully conceived down to the last detail but unfinished when Heath passed away in January of 2008. In the interest of fully realizing Heath’s final work as a visual artist, THE MASSES (a film and music company which Heath was a partner in) finished the video in his honor, with the support and advocacy of Isaac Brock.
Proceeds from iTunes video downloads in the first month of release will go towards the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society.
The King Rat video was directed by Heath Ledger, co-directed and illustrated by Daniel Auber with lead animation by Norris Houk, animation by Jade Taglioli and produced by Sara Cline of THE MASSES.
