Hozier's new music video for the song "Cherry Wine" depicts the cycle of domestic abuse that far too many women experience around the world.
The singer/songwriter released the music video just days before Valentine's Day. The music video stars Oscar-nominated actress Saoirse Ronan and actor Moe Dunford.
The video features Ronan and Dunford in what-looks-to-be a passionate and loving relationship. Before they head to bed however Ronan sits in front of a mirror and wipes away her makeup to reveal a large bruise on her eye.
"With the song Cherry Wine, I tried to get across the difficulty of coming to terms with and facing up to domestic violence and the dynamic of an abusive relationship," Hozier wrote on his website.
Paired with Hozier's haunting chorus, the video is a powerful reminder of the dynamics that make it so difficult for a woman to simply walk out on her abuser. "The way she shows me I'm hers and she is mine," Hozier sings in the chorus. "Open hand or closed fist would be fine. The blood is rare and sweet as cherry wine."
All the proceeds from the song will go to over 20 domestic violence charity organizations around the world. “Domestic violence is an ongoing issue in our society, the statistics of which are shocking and the effects of which damage whole families, communities and span generations," Hozier wrote on his website.
In the U.S., 1 in 4 women and 1 in 7 men will experience intimate partner violence at some point in their lifetimes. Every day, three women are murdered by a current or former male partner in the U.S.
"I hope through the video and song we can shine light on the issue and complexity of domestic abuse and in doing so help those caught up in the cycle of domestic violence," Ronan added on Hozier's website.
Well done, Hozier.
Head over to Hozier's website to read more about the song or to download it from iTunes.
Need help? In the U.S., call 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) for the National Domestic Violence Hotline.
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