The Decemberists - 16 Military Wives

What this video is

Released in 2005 on Kill Rock Stars as a single from the album Picaresque, '16 Military Wives' is a satirical protest song targeting American foreign policy under George W. Bush and the media's uncritical support for the Iraq War. The video, set in a mock prep-school model United Nations, translates that political critique into a wry, theatrically staged comedy that drew direct stylistic inspiration from Wes…

Why it matters

A defining artefact of mid-2000s chamber pop and literary indie rock, the video established a template for politically engaged, cinephile-referential indie music video-making. Its Super 16mm aesthetic, Wes Anderson-inflected visual grammar, and deadpan satirical tone became touchstones for the…

The director

Born in Monterey, CA; grew up in the Pacific Northwest. Studied at University College Cork and London Film School. Began directing career with this video. Later co-wrote the screenplay for Panos Cosmatos's Mandy (2018), which premiered at Sundance and…