Synopsis

Andrew Garfield plays a young person struggling with gender identity in a hostile small-town environment. After shaving their head and dressing in a blonde wig, lingerie, denim shorts and heels, they visit a local bar, where a flirtation turns into harassment and violence. A surreal dance sequence follows, transforming fear and isolation into self-expression. The character eventually emerges at Arcade Fire's Coachella performance, joining the band onstage in a vivid moment of release, affirmation and public visibility.

Factoids & Trivia

• The video premiered on May 16, 2014, ahead of "We Exist"'s digital single release on May 26.

• The Coachella footage was filmed during Arcade Fire's second-weekend headline performance at the 2014 Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival. The concert material gives the video's final breakthrough a genuine live audience and live-stage setting.

• Win Butler described the song as being about a gay child speaking to their father and coming out. He also framed marriage equality as a human rights issue when introducing the song at Coachella.

• Our Lady J, a transgender musician and performer, served as an important consultant during the production and helped Garfield prepare for the role.

• The casting of Garfield as the gender-questioning protagonist prompted criticism from transgender singer Laura Jane Grace, who argued that a trans performer should have been cast and also questioned some of the video's stereotypes. After learning more about Our Lady J's involvement and hearing how the video affected viewers, Grace later said her view had become more nuanced.

• The choreography was created by Ryan Heffington, with Hani Abaza, Tom Pardoe, Logan Schyvynck and Austin Westbay appearing as the dancers in the surreal sequence.

• "We Exist" was nominated for Best Music Video at the 57th Annual Grammy Awards in 2015.