Olivia Rodrigo’s New Video Is More More Important Than You Think
Olivia Rodrigo has a new video for “The Book of Love,” a Magnetic Fields song cover. But, it was filmed entirely by kids. There’s one big catch though, all of the children live in Ukraine and Gaza.
In concert with the non profit war child, Rodrigo provides these children a massive platform to show what their everyday lives look like. Despite the desolation on the ground in both of those regions, they still find time to play and do things that kids their age would normally be doing. All the proceeds from War Child Records new album, Help (2), go to directly aid, educate and advocate for children living through global conflicts.
Help (2) also includes songs by Arctic Monkeys, Arlo Parks, Beabadoobee, Beck, Beth Gibbons, Depeche Mode, Foals, King Krule, Oasis, Sampha, Pulp, The Last Dinner Party and more. Back in 1995, War Child released a similar compilation album to support children affected by different wars across the globe. Now, with things reaching a boiling point in multiple other countries, it seemed like a good time to raise awareness and funds for these kids. Rodrigo was all too happy to deliver that cover and not be in her video. It helps put the spotlight directly on people who never chose to be at the center of international controversy.
“Around the world, hundreds of millions of children are living with the effects of war and conflict. Separated from their homes, schools and loved ones, many are overwhelmed by manifestations of distress,” their site reads. “Our mission is to shape the systems that protect and support the wellbeing of children affected by conflict. At War Child we believe we have the unique skills and capacities which will be highly relevant in creating these changes.”
Olivia Rodrigo supporting kids in war zones
Rodrigo joins a growing contingent of artists across different mediums speaking up about what’s been going on the last couple of years. Both conflicts in Gaza, Ukraine, and now Iran have dominated headlines for a good long while. Protests have sprung up in America, the UK, South America, and elsewhere in support of people on the ground who have not chosen this fight.
In fact, the children in particular affected by these different conflicts have been at the top of mine for a lot of these celebrities. Last July, Rodrigo made her thoughts on the situation known on her Instagram Stories. This current work seems like a direct continuation of those sentiments that she shared.
“There are no words to describe the heartbreak I feel witnessing the devastation that is being inflicted upon innocent people in Palestine,” she wrote. Mothers, fathers, and children in Gaza are starving, dehydrated, and being denied access to basic medical care and humanitarian aid.”
“There is no child in Israel, Palestine, or anywhere in the world who deserves to suffer through what we’re seeing these children have to endure. It is horrific and completely unacceptable,” Rodrigo argued. “To give up on them is to give up on our shared humanity. I have made a donation to UNICEF to help support the victims of this horrifying situation to encourage you to do the same if you have the means.”
(featured: Frazer Harrison/WireImage)
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