When I first saw the “Tension Trailer” – Die Antwoord’s promo trailer for their upcoming album, it definitely caught my eyes. Finding great references to their promo music video incorporating what I would call “Matthew Barney contemporary style”: Half human, half animal like characters and sparse backgrounds, they pull off a evocative, haunting video.

The full length music video “I fink u freeky” is another well crafted piece. I thought the promo was going to be related to the full music video but that’s not the case. “I fink u freeky” is edgy, raw and brings out a lot of their characters and in a manner that is unabashed and almost supposed to be offensive. Cape Town’s Die Antwoord are genius. If you haven’t heard of them, give them a chance. Directed by Rodger Ballen (Photographer) and Ninja (lead singer), the video is shot entirely in Black & White (Ballen’s main way of taking photography). The video encompasses a lot of his innate artistry and sculpture work. Almost always there are 1or 2 people in the shots with no camera movement. These simplified and restrained decisions leave Ballen’s photography imprint distinguishable throughout the video. This collaboration is indeed unique. Even in his 60′s Ballen’s work and craft translate well into film. I’m not certain that this is his first music video directing debut, but if it is – he ties it quite well together and leaves a lot of imagination to the viewer while reflecting his own work and psyche within the video.

Video Credits

Directed by Roger Ballen & NINJA
Director of Photography Melle Van Essen
Edited by Jannie Hondekom @ Left
Post Production by  Blade