FEATURE:
My Broken Hearts, My Fabulous Dance
Reacting to the Success of Little Shrew (Snowflake) at the World Film Festival
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JUST when you think…
LITTLE SHREW ANIMATION: Nicolette Van Gendt/CONCEPT ARTWORK: Jim Kay
we were done with Kate Bush news for 2024, something else pops up! In October, Bush revealed a video for Little Shrew (Snowflake). When it was teased online, we were initially not sure what it was. Originally, we got a post to say that the song had a new radio edit. No real feeling it was going to have this video or greater cause. It was unusual that this particular song, the opening track from 50 Words for Snow, was highlighted for special attention. Although great that Snowflake (as it was called on the album) got a radio edit, what did it mean?! I said it at the time, but it did feel like it was going to be a song used on a Christmas advert. That would have been okay. On 25th October, the truth was revealed. An interview between Kate Bush and Emma Barnett was shared. Speaking on the Today programme, Bush spoke about this new video. With a little shrew at its heart, people were stunned when they saw it. Navigating this war-torn setting, we follow the shrew as it tries to makes its way out. Directed and written by Kate Bush and boasting some stunning animation (Little Shrew animation by Nicolette Van Gendt; Hope and drone animation by James Gifford; concept artwork by Jim Kay), the Little Shrew gets out of this bombed-out city in order to find Hope. It is an emotional and stunning video that lasts just over four minutes. Bush has directed videos before, though this is something different. For 2011’s 50 Words for Snow, Kate Bush directed and wrote the video for Eider Falls at Lake Tahoe. She worked in animated and was familiar with the form, so it was not a big surprise that Little Shrew (Snowflake) is a success and looks so good. Brilliantly directed and written, one of the biggest aims is to raise money for War Child. Bush discussed this with Emma Barnett. How there has been war after war and the news is so bleak. Rather than merely write a post about it and get people to donate to War Child, Bush was affected by images in the news – especially children displaced and affected by the violence in Ukraine – and put this video together. Whereas the original Snowflake was written for her son, Bertie, to showcase his voice, the lyrics and sound fits perfectly in this new setting.
HOPE AND DRONE ANIMATION: James Gifford/CONCEPT ARTWORK: Jim Kay
The lyrics really taking on a new life and shining in a new light. Reviews for Little Shrew (Snowflake) were huge. Whereas not all of Bush’s videos have won such acclaim – the video for Deeper Understanding, from 2011’s Director’s Cut, was savaged by some -, here everything was spot on. I wrote recently how Bush has been GRAMMY-nominated. Although minor categories, two of the Hounds of Love reissues have been nominated in different categories. If Bush wins a GRAMMY, it will be the first time. Five-times nominated, it will be another huge honour for her. Before then, Bush has been honoured at the World Film Festival in Cannes, winning multiple awards - including Best Animation Film, Best Cause-Driven Film & Best Female Director Short Film. I was not sure she was nominated and I didn’t actually have that festival on my radar. When Kate Bush News posted about it yesterday, it was met with joy from fans. A huge achievement for Kate Bush. Not only has she raised funds for a charity helping war-affected children; there is also this wonderful video that has affected so many people. I wonder whether Kate Bush will post to her website about the award wins. It is clear that her video has had this profound effect. So timely and powerful:
“This exceptional work has been celebrated at the World Film Festival in Cannes on November 27, winning multiple awards including Best Animation Film, Best Cause-Driven Film & Best Female Director Short Film. Festival founder Karolina Bomba lauded Bush's "creative genius and unwavering commitment," highlighting the film's ability to "illuminate the plight of countless children trapped in the throes of war."
Bomba further emphasized the film's profound impact: "The world is reeling from the horrific realities of war. We must open our eyes to the devastating effects it has on innocent children caught in the crossfire. Little Shrew transcends the boundaries of a music video, evolving into a heart-wrenching cry for peace, a stark reminder of shattered innocence, and a resounding call for empathy. Through this captivating piece of art, Kate Bush compels us to acknowledge the suffering of children in warzones and inspires action in support of War Child UK. It is an honor to join her in this pursuit of peace and justice through the Festival. Together, let's amplify the voices of these children and contribute to a world imbued with greater justice and peace. Remember the Future!”.
Given this award success, it does make me wonder whether Bush will direct more videos. I have actually written about this in another feature. Wondering what Bush’s future music videos will look like. It does seem that animation, whilst time-consuming, is a medium that she feels comfortable in. It allows for huge scenes, imaginative visuals and things you cannot get from a live action video. Bush posted to her website about the conception process and bringing the video to life:
“The original track runs for over seven minutes, but as animations take a long time to make, it made a lot of sense to shorten it to three or four minutes. I was concerned that the song might lose something by being edited so intensely but actually it’s held up pretty well.
I knew I wanted the featured character to be a child caught up in war, so I made a very rough, off the cuff story board.
Although I’d initially thought to make the character a human child – a little girl – I settled on the idea of a Caucasian pygmy shrew (Ukrainian shrew): a tiny, fragile little creature. I felt that people might have more empathy for a vulnerable little animal than a human…
This little shrew would take a journey on a moonlit, winter’s night through a war-torn city, initially unaware of what was going on around her in this land of the giants. She can sense that she’s being called by a kind of spiritual presence… HOPE.
She starts to search for HOPE. Sometimes hope is all there is to hang on to”.
It is wonderful that Little Shrew (Snowflake) has been honoured by the World Film Festival in Cannes. Bush winning an award for her direction. It will bring even more attention to the video which in turn will help raise even more funds for War Child. It does raise some interesting possibilities.
CONCEPT ARTWORK: Jim Kay
Going forward, even more attention will be brought to Kate Bush. With every bit of news like her award wins, it opens up her work to those who might not have discovered her. I had to react to the Cannes award wins, as it adds extra weight to the song. To that brilliant and unforgettable video for Little Shrew (Snowflake). Bush awarded a director prize. Highlighting what a brilliant director she is. People seeking out her videos and how the ones she directed really stand out. I think that Bush is underrated as a visual thinker and director. Someone who has a real gift for cinema and putting unique stories on the screen. Also, any Kate Bush news means new eyes and ears head her way. It gives extra incentive for her to release new music (when she spoke with Emma Barnett, Bush revealed that possibility was on her mind). I think that Bush is going to direct more videos. It will be interesting seeing what she has in mind and what form they take. More than anything, we also get concrete proof of how charity and humanity is huge in Kate Bush’s heart. She has been raising funds and awareness for charities for decades now. I will wrap up there. As we look ahead to 2025, there is no telling what we will get from Kate Bush. This year has been a very busy one in terms of updates and projects. Album reissues and news. This latest bit of new is very special and significant. Honours to an incredible filmmaker and iconic artist who has spent so long making sure that this animated video (for Little Shrew (Snowflake) makes an impact. How her initial storyboards and concepts were turned into something epic and spine-tinging. The Little Shrew searching for Hope. This powerful video has made a big difference already and will continue to do so. It just goes to show that, although Bush has not released new music for thirteen years, she is always relevant and never out of sight. So many Kate Bush fans will be excited to see what comes…
NEXT year.