The Artist Explains: Ben Kunder 'Berlin'

Toronto indie-folk, singer/songwriter Ben Kunder talks to us about his empowering single/video for ‘Berlin’ which animates memories of his time in Germany and reflects on the persecution and suffering experienced by his Jewish heritage.

Where was the video for 'Berlin' filmed?
The animated world of Berlin was created in Toronto at Number Four Films studio by Christopher Mills. All of the bodies in the video are mine and were shot using green screen in the same studio.

How does the video connect with the song?
These are my memories of Berlin; the spots I played, where I walked to get a coffee, met locals, cried in the streets, visited museums. We wanted to create a world that felt more like you were in an abstract graphic novel lost in time. The music video conveys the energy and essence of the song like I could have never imagined. Christopher found a way to lift the song to a whole other level through his stunning visual storytelling and creative genius.

Do you have any behind the scenes stories you can share with us?
The world was created using Google Earth. Christopher and I spent an afternoon searching for locations from my Berlin memory bank. It’s all layers of images of buildings and scenery from Google Earth that he manipulated and painted on to create this wild and beautiful world. And all of my scenes were shot on green screen in one day with no props other than a chair occasionally. I had to tap into some lyrical dance vibes and my old acting days for this one.

Could you tell us about the ideas/ themes/ imagery used?
A lot of this song is taken from actual events that happened to me. I was in Berlin, I did have those feelings, I did cry in the streets. I was touring in Germany for the first time and my last show was in Berlin on the anniversary of Kristallnacht. I happen to be of Jewish heritage so I found my time there to be very emotional and powerful. I stayed for a week after my tour was over and had a lot of time to reflect on those feelings of history, privilege and finding personal strength. I wrote Berlin in that time. I realised while touring in Germany how lucky I am to have the privilege to speak up, to tell my story and to actually be heard when so many of the people of my past were denied that right. I don’t take that for granted and this song is not only about being strong but it’s about accepting the fear and darkness we feel and saying “it’s okay, we’re alright”.

What do you hope people take away from watching the video?
I hope people will feel empowered by this video, to find that there is strength where darkness lies. It’s about the struggle to figure out who you are and what you believe in as an individual. To stand in your truth and be emotional and vulnerable. Your struggle is beautiful because it means your fighting for something.

Interview by Karla Harris