Robert De Niro to release refugee charity album with artist Woodkid
Robert De Niro is releasing a charity album in aid of refugees – alongside producer Nils Frahm and out musician Woodkid.
The Oscar-winning star of The Godfather is collaborating with Nils Frahm and Woodkid – real name Yoann Lemoine – on upcoming LP ‘Ellis’.
The LP, which is set to be released on July 8 alongside a short film, aims to raise funds for refugee charity Sea Watch.
The charity aims to minimise tragedies in the Mediterranean – where hundreds of refugees and migrants have perished attempting to cross on overcrowded makeshift boats.
The short film stars De Niro as an immigrant passing through New York’s historic Ellis Island immigration centre – while the actor will also make spoken word contributions to the album.
Check out a trailer below:
Woodkid, who has referenced male lovers in his lyrics and quietly spoken about his sexuality in the past, said: “Here is my collaboration with the amazing JR Artist and Nils Frahm, a new mini-album featuring spoken word from actor Robert De Niro, inspired by the current refugee crisis and with proceeds going to the charity Sea Watch.”
Frahm said: “The music fell into our laps and melted with the images: a wonderful experience,” revealed Frahm in a statement. “The film has stuck in my head ever since; it moved my heart and changed my soul.”
“Robert says it all in 17 minutes.
“We are not facing a refugee crisis. We are facing a crisis because we do not embrace, we do not sympathise and we cannot give up fear. Art can encourage so I hope this project will help fight the fear in all of us.”
De Niro was honoured at the GLAAD Media Awards in New York City earlier this month for his work on LGBT issues.
He made an HBO documentary previously about his father – gay artist Robert De Niro Sr – who died in 1993.
His late father’s sexuality had been a family secret up until the release of the film, but De Niro said: “I felt I had to. I felt obligated. It was my responsibility.”
“I think it’s time. I thought about it, of course, but if you’re going to do something, you have to do it all the way. You can’t hide anything.
“That’s the whole point — the truth. That’s what people are attracted to. I should have done this 10 years earlier, but I’m glad I did it now.”
Ellis will be released on July 8.
