Synopsis
U2 perform "Walk On" amid the energy of Rio de Janeiro, moving through city streets, meeting fans, playing soccer on the beach and appearing on the balcony of the Copacabana Hotel. The informal footage is intercut with a staged performance at Globo Studios, creating a portrait of the band immersed in the city rather than a conventional narrative. The video closes with a television appearance by Aung San Suu Kyi, connecting the song's uplifting message to her struggle for democracy in Burma.
Factoids & Trivia
- The video was filmed in Rio de Janeiro in November 2000 during a two-day promotional visit for *All That You Can't Leave Behind*.
- Its documentary-like feel was partly accidental. Several scenes, including the beach soccer and encounters with fans, were improvised while the crew followed the band around Rio.
- The performance footage was shot at Globo Studios, while additional material came from the streets, the beach and the Copacabana Hotel.
- "Walk On" was made in two principal versions. The Rio production served the international release, while a separate version filmed in London was created for the United States and Canada.
- The original international ending featured Aung San Suu Kyi speaking on television after the music had faded. The song was written with her pro-democracy work in mind.
- Because of its dedication to Suu Kyi, the album *All That You Can't Leave Behind* was banned in Burma.
- The international and North American versions were both included on U2's 2006 video compilation *U218 Videos*.
- The Rio version was filmed well before its release, eventually appearing online and internationally in late 2001.