Not a ‘watch two times’ music video
Obstacle 1 by Interpol video appreciation
Nothing is objective. I think is fair enough begin this article writing something: I don’t like the director’s work, (and I am still thinking this after watch this video a lot of times) because Floria Sigismondi isn’t original: she has a style and she likes work with weird stuff. That isn’t bad, the problem is after you watch three videos of her, is boring. Even videos like Blue Orchid by The White Stripes, are boring. But in this case, and I’m surprised, is different.
This is Obstacle 1 by Interpol
Other of the bands what are important in my life
Other thing I believe you really need to know is, I really love this band. For that, again, nothing is objective, but I will give you my best. I think this video has very good stuff. Is a good video, is not the best Interpol video (they have problems with visual aspects), but is a big jump after PDA video, one of the first videos of the band.
This video is so well made, technically speaking. The shots are made very careful, the production thought in the rhythm. You can see it in every single shot, not only for post-production and edition. Camera movements are perfect and synchronized. You can notice they, the band, look inexpert yet, but that is part of the feeling: this video is about a visceral and some kind a rough song.
The differences between the band and ‘she’
You can notice the video has a little and weird story, but you understand is the proper with the song. That ‘she’ in the lyrics, can be our dancing woman in the video. And is a great idea not have together the band and the woman, not only for spaces: is for colors. They so black and white… and that light green (this green is product of neon lights there) what would become in part of Interpol style in the rest of videos. And she is in bright colors.
The most beautiful thing about this video are the close-ups: are so perfect. I love the way the director shows Sam Fogarino (drummer) hair, Carlos Dengler (bassist) dancing almost touching the floor, she with her make up eye, the glass of water… But are 2 incredible perfect close ups.
Close ups and visuals
2:39. Paul Banks (leader voice) touching the mic stand. Is so synchronized with change in the song.
1:49. Daniel Kessler (guitar player) only playing…. is like a claim of PDA video where Kessler looks so bad, but I think the director captured something esencial you can see in Daniel Kessler when he plays live: the dance. That is what a Kessler’s fan, like me obviously, wants.
I think, you can notice this video was made for a true pro, Sigismondi has a big career not only in videos, also she has a movie about The Runaways. That is the problem. She has long curriculum but few things what are really good. This video is the exception: the production is not only for close-ups, the camera moves fluid, absolute synchrony video-sound, the usual performance, and these cables moves are amazing, in fact I’d like watch more shots of that.
But isn’t a ‘watch more than two times’ video
Is unbelievable that water thing: please, only a glass? Please, maybe you can flood slowly the place, because I feel is an excellent idea combined with the danger of electricity. Why not increase that feeling? Also the dance: in a moment you feel she is dancing other song. She, her look is perfect. But moves, for a moments, doesn’t.
I think this is a good video, but… not original and ‘for remember’ video. What is really sad with a band like Interpol. The band has good videos, specially in this era like Everything Is Wrong or My Desire, but in the beginning they had a big struggle with everything.
About this video, if you compare -I know, is hideous but works- the camera moves and cinematography are better made for other big of the industry, Mark Romanek, for example. But well… This song is one of the best from Interpol and we can enjoy it.
