Radiohead’s ‘Burn the Witch’ video is about the refugee crisis, apparently

Two days on from the release of Radiohead’s ’Burn the Witch’, an animator behind the song’s video says its concept revolves around the current refugee crisis.

Animator Virpi Kettu worked on the stop-motion video, which nods to ‘The Wicker Man’ and, believe it or not, ‘Trumpton’, in its village-locals-gone-loco narrative.

Speaking to Billboard, Kettu says they had a very strict time limit of 14 days in which to make the video. “I had not slept for two weeks,” she says, adding: “I really love Radiohead and I really love animation, so you put those two together and I’d do anything. It was one of the most demanding things I’ve ever done in my life, physically and mentally.”

According to Kettu, the video intends to raise awareness of Europe’s refugee situation and the “blaming of different people… the blaming of Muslims and the negativity” that stems from the current crisis. Hence the title, ‘Burn the Witch’.

Billboard also adds that Kettu has heard more of Radiohead’s ninth album, which she describes as very dark.