The violence of Northern Ireland in the 80’s has been a theme for U2 within many of their songs. This short film inspired by the newest tracks from “Songs of Innocence” opens on a group of Catholic lads goofing off before hitting a punk club, where one boy, Sean, catches the eye of a crowd-surfing girl, Sandra. She catches up with the Sean after the show, stealing his cigarette as he lays in the street with a friend, who later informs him the she's a Protestant. Nevertheless, the couple comes together to the tune of "Every Breaking Wave," but scenes of their budding romance are undercut with outbursts
In the aftermath of the arrest, Sean isolates himself from Sandra and prepares to join forces with a group of Catholic militants. During a meeting, however, Sean answers a knock at the door and finally reunites with Sandra — but their moment is cut short when a bomb goes off. Amidst the smoke and rubble, the pair find each other and together, lift an injured friend off the ground while U2's "The Troubles," also off Songs of Innocence, begins to play.
U2 band member The Edge has praised Aoife’s work labeling it “extraordinary”.
"The Aoife McArdle short film expands on the theme of Songs of Innocence which was largely rooted in our experience growing up in the early eighties in Dublin. Aoife chose west Belfast in the same period, as it was the neighborhood that was so formative to her,” he said.
The Edge is not Aoife’s only notable fan.
Academy Award nominated filmmaker Spike Jonze, said of Aoife McArdle's short film, "I was really taken with this film. She captured that feeling and size of life of being a teenager and of first love so well. She drifts between the reality of friends and first love into fantasy so effortlessly and romantically. It's a perfect little gem of a romance movie."
Aoife has previously directed music videos for James Vincent McMorrow and Simian Mobile Disco.
The London-based talent plans to move back to her native Belfast soon to work on her first feature film. “A lot of films in Northern Ireland don’t get shot in Northern Ireland, which is quite strange. A lot of people feel like it’s too close to the bone to go there. Or are too afraid to go there. I don’t know why.”
The band will embark on the ambitious Innocence + Experience World Tour this May download the tour app to keep up on all of the tour news, set lists and more.