The stop-motion animator behind the video for Radiohead’s latest single ‘Burn The Witch’ has given an interview about the motivations behind the clip.
Virpi Kettu, the woman behind the track’s visuals and an experienced stop-motion animator, told Billboard that she believes the project was triggered by the ongoing refugee crisis as well as Islamophobia.
Kettu speculated that the presentation of the burning of the witch in the video may mirror “the blaming of different people… the blaming of Muslims,” while also suggesting that the postcards sent to the homes of fans by the band emblazoned with the words “We know where you live” may be a reference to the increased security of the state in the clampdown on the movement of refugees as the crisis continues. Kettu worked on the clip alongside director Chris Hopewell with whom she also collaborated on the video for the band’s 2003 video for ‘There There’.
The interview is, Billboard stresses however, based on the opinions and speculation of Kettu herself, opening with the disclaimer: “The opinions expressed in this article about Burn the Witch do not necessarily reflect those of the band, the video’s director or any of the band’s representatives.” You can watch the video for ‘Burn The Witch’ above.
