Review: The National - I Am Easy to Find (2019)

The National - I Am Easy to Find (2019)

So this post is not the norm for me, but it happens to relate film to one of my other passions - music - and, additionally, it encompasses an interesting story about the fantastic band, The National.

According to recent interviews, The National had recently become burnt-out and was on the verge of taking a break (/possibly breaking up) when director, Mike Mills (20th Century Women), contacted them asking if they would be up for him directing a music video for them. That music video turned into the short film, I Am Easy To Find, which Mills wrote a screenplay for and directed, and the band wrote the music for (which they developed into their new album). Mill's story for the short is centred around the life cycle of a woman (Alicia Vikander). Interestingly, the band - whose normal dark, rhythmic and melancholic sound hinges upon lead singer, Berninger's, deep, baritone voice - felt that they had to change up their style for this female-centric story. And so, the band brought in a number of female singers for the songs, with Berninger taking more-or-less a backseat role (in both singing duties and writing duties, as his own wife, Carin Besser, wrote many of the lyrics). For those interested in short/experiential films and alternative rock music short film, I highly recommend checking out I Am Easy To Find, as well as The National's new same-named album!

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