Hozier and Saoirse Ronan have teamed up for a new campaign to shed light on the issue of domestic violence, with the Oscar-nominated actress starring in his latest video – which comes out this Sunday, February 12, on iTunes to benefit domestic abuse charities worldwide including the Irish charity Safe Ireland.
Irish director Dearbhla Walsh, who has directed episodes of EastEnders and The Tudors, was behind the camera for the video for Cherry Wine, which sees Ronan play a woman dealing with a physically abusive relationship alongside Waterford actor Moe Dunford, star of Patrick’s Day and Game of Thrones.
The single is being released on February 14, and all proceeds from downloads will be donated to international domestic abuse charity organisations.
Hozier, who wrote the song from the male perspective of an abuse sufferer, said: “Domestic violence is an ongoing issue in our society, the statistics of which are shocking and the effects of which damage whole families, communities and span generations.
“With the song Cherry Wine, I tried to get across the difficulty of coming to terms with and facing up to domestic violence and the dynamic of an abusive relationship. I’m honoured to be joined by Saoirse Ronan, Dearbhla Walsh and Moe Dunford in spreading awareness on this issue.”
Ronan added: “I am equally honoured to join Hozier to create awareness for the #FaceUpToDomesticViolence campaign with the release of Cherry Wine as a charity single. The song has always been one of my favourite tracks on his album. I hope through the video and song we can shine light on the issue and complexity of domestic abuse and in doing so help those caught up in the cycle of domestic violence”.
Source: RTÉ Ten