Music has always been a particularly rich platform for sociopolitical activism, and Sia is seizing her time in the spotlight by raising awareness for an important cause. Featuring Zoe Saldana and Julianne Moore, Sia's "Free Me" video calls attention to HIV. According to Variety, all proceeds from the song will go to the #endHIV campaign, which, in collaboration with the Abzyme Research Foundation, raises funds to commercially manufacture an effective HIV vaccine under FDA standards.
The emotional five-minute clip stars Saldana as an expectant mother being told that she has just been diagnosed with HIV. Moore narrates, explaining that if left untreated, the disease will be passed on to her baby. As melancholic piano drifts in, Saldana begins to process the news, flitting through an achingly gorgeous interpretive dance choreographed by longtime Sia collaborator Ryan Heffington, who previously worked with the singer on visuals for “Chandelier,” “Cheap Thrills,” “The Greatest,” and her Nostalgic for the Present Tour.
The video eventually flashes forward to a glowing and happy Saldana embracing her newborn child, fading out with an impactful message: "HIV/AIDS is the No. 1 killer of reproductive age women worldwide." It then encourages viewers to go to endhiv.com to support a promising AIDS cure.
"Free Me" is yet another sterling example of Sia standing up for her beliefs. Last November, she asked Stand Up Events founder Angie Greene to accept her Australian ARIA Award in support of marriage equality, and she's also a noted and vocal animal rights activist. In 2010, Sia teamed with PETA to help prevent animal overpopulation and end the animal homelessness crisis, and during her Nostalgic For the Present Tour last year, she partnered with various rescue organizations to set up dog-adoption fairs at her concerts.
Keep up all the inspirational work, Sia.
