Bon Iver amplifies indigenous storytelling

Shortly after Bon Iver’s I, I garnered multiple Grammy nominations, the artist released the music video for Naeem, their first non-lyric video in seven years produced by Park Pictures.

Equal parts aesthetic and prophetic, Naeem is a beautiful hymn of Native American power and ritual. It starts with Christian iconography, a young man carried, bridal-style, through the streets of Los Angeles. The background is beautiful, a purple sunset that reflects the mountains in the distance. It’s haunting and nostalgic, telling a story without providing any details other than the aesthetic of the imagery. 

In the morning, a magical, fantastic floating rock takes its place in the center of the busy highway. A car stops, a woman comes out, and she knows what this is. As a woman yells at her for holding up traffic, the rock splits and water pours out. The interaction between the woman and the stone is magical and masterful, speaking to director AG Rojas’ artful design. The choice to produce in a shortened aspect also gives Naeem an old-school, underground film feel. 

The film is gorgeous, telling a story of Native American mythology and understanding layered with symbolism and indigenous healing. It’s an anti-colonial mystery, full of love and heart. The soft palette is also stunning, adding to the universality of the setting, despite the surreal elements.