An anti-homophobia music video shot in Cork depicting the violence
experienced by gay people in Russia has been watched more than 175,000
times since it was posted on the internet six days ago.
The
video for Dublin-based singer Andrew Hozier Byrne’s ‘Take Me To Church’
was directed by Brendan Canty and Conal Thomson from Feel Good Lost, a
Cork-based, visual arts production house.
The four-minute production shows a violent attack on a gay couple when their relationship is discovered by people from their community.
Hozier said the song was essentially about humanity and how it was undermined by religious organisations and those who claimed to act in its best interest.
“What has been seen growing in Russia is no less than nightmarish. I proposed bringing these themes into the story and Brendan [Canty] liked the idea.”
Hozier wrote on his Facebook page that he was overwhelmed by the response to the video, which can be seen on YouTube.
“I’m very proud to have worked with such talented people on this project. Thank you, well done and credit to everyone at Feel Good Lost,” he wrote.
Feel Good Lost has produced over 50 videos over the last two years that have been viewed by over 4m people worldwide.
Brendan said he never expected so many people to view the video in such a short space of time.
“It went up last Wednesday and got 100,000 views within 24 hours. It’s amazing exposure for us.”
The video was shot at various locations in Cork. “We wanted to make it grey and urban to reflect a cold Russian society. The locations we picked were quite industrial.”
Brendan said he linked up with Hozier after commenting on Twitter that he was blown away by his music.
The singer’s management company, Rubyworks, arranged for Brendan to meet Hozier and the two worked out the concept for the video.
“Obviously, we highlighted a horrible situation in Russia but I am really happy that a lot of the comments that the video received are about the story-telling, the cinematography and the amazing song.”
* Watch the video at http://exa.mn/yk