There has been a loud call on social-media for a Phoebe Waller-Bridge and Phoebe Bridgers collaboration, not only due to their strikingly similar names but because they are both masters in rousing cathartic emotions in their dreary supporters. Today, that call was answered with the release of the new music video for Bridgers’ single Savior Complex which was directed by none-other-than Waller-Bridge.
The music-video stars Paul Mescal from the widely popular Irish television series Normal People airing on BBC. Bridgers makes multiple appearances throughout the music video as well, but the real savior of the short would be the small dog that moves the story forward.
The music video for “Savior Complex” by @phoebe_bridgers is here Directed by Phoebe Waller-Bridge, starring @mescal_paul & Charlotte.
https://t.co/AUdOunhLCU pic.twitter.com/c0CXwoSgZj— Dead Oceans (@DeadOceans) December 1, 2020
In keeping with Waller-Bridge’s and Bridgers’ style, the music video is indie and cryptic in all black-and-white film. The video begins with a con-man in the grip of thievery and darkness who is being stalked by a small Pomeranian dog.
The persistence of the dog slowly begins to cleanse the con-man of corruption and brings out the humanity still left within him. By the end, the dog leaves the man behind but seemingly takes on the burden of deceit. The dog is a representation of the savior complex and is a warning of the unhealthy habits of those who take on the burdens of others.
This abstract video in not the first time Waller-Bridge has worked in the music industry. She is most known for the widely popular tv series Fleabag, which catapulted her into stardom as one of the most influential and sought after writers of the last 5 years. However, Waller-Bridge has collaborated with her sister Isobel who is a renowned composer and her brother is also a prominent figure as a music manager.
Waller-Bridge, Londoner, was named in Time’s 100 Most Influential People in the World for 2020 and has received multiple Brit Awards, Emmy’s and Golden Globes for her writing, acting and producing achievements.
Bridgers, Californian, has also received high critical acclaim for her work in music, just recently receiving 4 Grammy nominations for Best New Artist, Best Rock Performance, Best Rock Song and Best Alternative Music Album. Her most recently published album Punisher was released June 18th, 2020 and has skyrocketed her popularity in the UK as it reached #6 in the UK charts this summer.
New Phoebe and @IsobelWB for the #takeamoment4mind charity pic.twitter.com/sQAbGgnLz7
— Phoebe Waller-Bridge Source (@phoebewallerbr1) November 4, 2020
Both Bridgers and Waller-Bridge are celebrated figures in the UK and their collaboration comes from the pleas made by fans to see them work together. The English writer and American singer exchanged emails over the Covid-19 isolation and decided to grant the wishes of their devotees.
Savior Complex is available on Facebook at this time, the link can be found here. Bridgers latest album Punisher is available for streaming on all platforms and Waller-Bridge has been working on contributing to the upcoming James Bond film No Time to Die which will be released in 2021.
