A music video co-directed by Heath Ledger for the band Modest Mouse was released today, and the animated short aims to raise awareness of commercial whaling, a message that the late actor took seriously.  I think it’s wonderful that Ledger continues to make a difference in the world after his unfortunate death, beyond the terrific film performances he left behind.  The beautiful and disturbing video features a shocking role reversal of hunter and hunted, and will hopefully encourage people to learn more about the atrocities of the whaling industry and inspire them to help protect ocean wildlife.  Ledger had plans to co-direct a whaling documentary as well, which we will sadly never get to see.

The video for “King Rat”, which was unfinished at the time of Ledger’s death, was co-created with Los Angeles art collective/production company The Masses, and debuted on MySpace today.  Proceeds from the iTunes downloads of the video in the first month of release will go towards The Sea Shepherd Conservation Society,  an international non-profit, marine wildlife conservation organization committed to ending the destruction of habitat and slaughter of wildlife in the world’s oceans.   You may already be familiar with the groups direct-action techniques, and their recent endorsement of The Cove. Check out the video, download it from iTunes, and find out how you can help protect marine wildlife by using the action link below.  (Warning: the video contains graphic images)