Pearl Jam release behind-the-scenes video of 'Retrograde' featuring Greta Thunberg as fortune-teller
Pearl Jam has shared a behind-the-scenes making of the music video for their latest single, 'Retrograde', featuring a cameo from activist Greta Thunberg. 'Retrograde', penned by band guitarist Mike McCready, is the latest release off the acclaimed new studio album from Pearl Jam, 'Gigaton'. The accompanying music video is a stunning visual story that paints a chilling version of a future planet Earth beset by climate change. Directed by Emmy Award-winning filmmaker Josh Wakely, the video features a cameo from climate change activist Greta Thunberg in the role of a fortune-teller who reveals this would-be dystopian future.
Speaking about the message behind 'Retrograde' Wakely states, "'Retrograde' is one of the great Pearl Jam songs. There is an urgency and craft to the 'Retrograde' song and the entire 'Gigaton' album...I loved bringing it to life through sight and motion. It is an unusual time in the world and this has been one of my most fulfilling experiences as a filmmaker. Pearl Jam are a band and group of people that I love collaborating with. The vision that I present - of a world ruined by climate change - is my way of sounding the alarm about the consequences of inaction. I sincerely hope this video serves as a reminder that it’s gonna take much more than ordinary love to lift this up."
Thunberg, a 17-year-old activist who has emerged as one of the most notable activists fighting for a better world, drives this point home throughout the video via existing footage of her speaking about the issue of climate change grafted onto the body of an actress as landmarks like the London Bridge and Seattle's Space Needle all find themselves overwhelmed by giant waves. The video, essentially, reflects the cautionary message of 'Retrograde' that urges listeners to take stock of the despair we find ourselves in and make a change for the better. As Wakely puts it in an interview with Variety, this video is his attempt to get viewers to "imagine the future and then try to alter it."
Rather ironically, the song about a future marred by our inaction found its release at a time when the world is dealing with a pandemic-induced lockdown and a revolution that demands equality and accountability from those in power. And in the wake of Covid-19, what would have been a live-action shoot became a mix of animation and motion capture that was brought to life by animators from Vancouver, Los Angeles and London in a haunting music video. Despite featuring over 140 people, including Thunberg and the band members, none of these individuals actually met one another for the filming and the video was created entirely by the animators who filmed themselves.
Pearl Jam has been increasingly clear about their stance on social issues. 'Gigaton' is filled with environmentally conscious themes and has the band using their trademark style of conveying their truth point-blank without any sugar coating.
'Gigaton' released on March 27 and is available on all streaming platforms. Check out the video for 'Retrograde' below:
