CSS - Rat is Dead (Rage)

What this video is

Released in mid-2008, this video arrives at the apex of the new rave movement's international mainstream breakthrough — a moment when acts from São Paulo, London, and New York's DIY underground were suddenly headlining European festivals and landing on Sub Pop rosters. CSS (Cansei de Ser Sexy) were emblematic of this axis: a Brazilian band whose irreverent electro-punk ethos, daring fashion, and bilingual output…

Why it matters

As the lead single from CSS's pivotal sophomore record Donkey, 'Rat Is Dead (Rage)' represents a genre shift — a band known for electro-funk and dance-pop leaning hard into angular indie rock with Pixies and Breeders DNA. The video's one-continuous-take performance format became a significant…

The director

British-Iranian filmmaker born in London, 1977. Graduated with a BA in Fine Art Film from Central Saint Martins. Co-founded The Imaginary Tennis Club, a London-based multimedia art collective. Built a career directing award-winning music videos for Hot Chip,…