Seamus Murphy directs video for PJ Harvey’s ‘The Orange Monkey’


 Maria Mochnacz

Maria Mochnacz

The video for ‘The Orange Monkey‘ expertly shines a light on the travels made by PJ Harvey which informed her recent ‘Hope Six Demolition Project‘ LP.

Directed by award winning photo-journalist and film-maker Seamus Murphy, it was filmed in Afghanistan over the course of two trips in 2012 and 2014, as Murphy explains:




“With the films I make for Polly Harvey’s music I try to reflect the song’s tune and mood, which means tapping into emotion. I find emotion a truer compass than intellect when it comes to finding images and creating sequences for music.”

“‘The Orange Monkey’ has warm, earthen colours with a pleasant, unrushed feel to it. There’s an underlying melancholy, which is leavened by the strength and energy of the Afghan people. We know there is tragedy but what we see is resilience.”

“All the material for the film was shot in Afghanistan over two trips I made in 2012 and one in 2014. In December 2012 Polly joined me and we travelled together in Afghanistan. Places featured are Kabul, Parwan, Nangarhar and Helmand Provinces.”


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