The video Heath Ledger directed for Modest Mouse song "King Rat" received its online debut earlier today. And despite its cute-and-cuddly early moments featuring animated, anthropomorphic whales sailing the high seas, this one's going to lend Ledger's legacy an even more grim and twisted bent than anything in the Dark Knight.
So yeah, NSFW. You've been warned.
The animated piece, reportedly completed by the film and video company The Masses -- of which Ledger was a partner -- basically pulls a grisly switcheroo on whales and the poachers who hunt them off the coast of Australia.
According to the official release posted via Modest Mouse's MySpace page, Ledger approached the Washington-based indie rockers with the video concept back in January 2007.
The video ends with a dedication to the late actor, reading: "This began with our friend, a great defender of life, and was completed in his spirit."
According to the band's statement, Ledger intended the video to "raise awareness on modern whaling practices through a potent visual piece without having to say a word."
You can stream the video online, here, but in case you feel like never eating a gingerbread man ever again (and, you know, want to help the whales and whatnot) funds raised by iTunes video downloads this month will go to marine wildlife non-profit the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society.
In less dark-and-twisty, more Modest Mouse-related news: The band released new EP No One’s First, And You’re Next today and is on deck to play several shows across Canada, including stops in Halifax (Aug. 17), Montreal (Aug. 19), Kingston (Aug. 20) and Toronto (Aug. 21-22).
Now, watch the video:
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