A new mini-album by Nils Frahm and Woodkid is being released with all proceeds going towards Sea Watch, an initiative for the protection and rescue of refugees. Titled ELLIS, the release accompanies a short film of the same name, directed by French artist JR and starring Robert De Niro as a man reflecting on the immigrant experience from within the halls of the Ellis Island Hospital, a first port of call for many of those arriving in America during the 20th century.
“The music fell into our laps and melted with the images: a wonderful experience,” says Frahm of the project that sees him perform and co-write on a score composed by Woodkid. “The film has stuck in my head ever since; it moved my heart and changed my soul.”
ELLIS is set to be released on 8 July via Erased Tape. In the meantime, you can watch the trailer for the accompanying film below. In the words of Frahm, “We are not facing a refugee crisis. We are facing a crisis because we do not embrace, we do not sympathise and we cannot give up fear. Art can encourage so I hope this project will help fight the fear in all of us.”
Credits
Text Matthew Whitehouse
Image via IMDB