Synopsis
A young girl shares an intimate friendship with a mysterious figure concealed beneath a white sheet. Their imaginative bond unfolds through tender, dreamlike encounters, but the relationship changes as she grows older and begins spending time with other people. The ghostly companion is gradually left behind, turning a childhood friendship into a melancholy memory. Framed by hazy summer imagery and a persistent sense of absence, the video gives the song's lyrics a gently haunting story about innocence, separation, and the possibility that some friends remain with us after they are gone.
Factoids & Trivia
- "Summer Smoke" appeared on Cemeteries' debut album, "The Wilderness," released through Lefse Records in October 2012.
- The video was presented as "the story of a girl and a ghost," a concise description that captures its deliberately ambiguous approach to memory, friendship, and loss.
- The production was handled by Wild Animal, with Rachel van der Merwe producing, Nathan Ingalls serving as cinematographer, Ross Phillip overseeing production design, and Sal Duluoz editing.
- The cast includes Jordan Pritchard, Lauren Schneider, Caden Dreyer, and Videl Alonso-Sed.
- The video received a SPIN premiere and was identified as a Vimeo Staff Pick.
- Cemeteries is the recording project of Kyle J. Reigle, whose hazy, home-recorded dream pop provided the visual piece with its spectral atmosphere.
- The official video runs for approximately six and a half minutes, making it substantially longer than a conventional promotional clip and allowing its narrative to develop at an unhurried pace.