All money generated by YouTube views of Simple Plan’s new “Wake Me Up (When This Nightmare’s Over)” video will be donated to Ukrainian relief efforts through the UNICEF Ukraine Emergency Appeal.
The Montreal-based pop-punk band is also donating a portion of the proceeds from tickets sold throughout its current tour via its own Simple Plan Foundation, which was created to help young people deal with their personal struggles and issues including suicide, poverty and drug addiction.
The “Wake Me Up (When This Nightmare’s Over)” video was directed by Ukrainian filmmaker Jensen Noen and filmed with a Ukrainian cast and crew. Visual effects and post-production work were also done by Ukrainians.
“When we saw the first images from the war in Ukraine, we felt so heartbroken and powerless,” said a Simple Plan band statement in a media release. “The impact on young children and families felt especially devastating and made us want to do something to help.
“The idea to do this video was sparked by discussions with our good friend and director Jensen Noen. We could feel just how important and personal the events in Ukraine were for him and from there, the concept for the video emerged.
“It was very special to see all these talented Ukrainians actors, actresses and crew members come together for this cause and create such a moving and emotional music video. We always believed in the power of music and we hope this video can have a positive impact and raise as much money as possible for the people of Ukraine.”
Noem, who previously directed Simple Plan’s “The Antidote” and “Ruin My Life” videos, said this in the release:
"Since the war started, I've gone through a range of emotions: From depression to rage, to an overwhelming sense of helplessness. I can't describe what it's been like to watch my home country being torn to shreds, its people raped and killed, innocent children and civilians dying every day...Many of my family and friends have already been affected by the war.
“To be able to help raise awareness and money for this cause and use my art to help tell the story of my people means the world to me. And the fact that I got to work with a mainly Ukrainian cast and crew, made this whole experience even more special.
“I'm so grateful to Simple Plan for giving me an opportunity to tell the story of what's going on in my country and to all of our incredible cast and crew that donated their time to this cause."
The behind-the-scenes video for “Wake Me Up (When This Nightmare’s Over)” can be watched here.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau tweeted about the “Wake Me Up (When This Nightmare’s Over)” video and its fundraising efforts here.
UNICEF has been responding to the conflict in Ukraine and supporting children and families there since 2014. UNICEF’s ongoing response to the war in Ukraine includes providing communities with: safe water and sanitation supplies; urgent medical aid and healthcare services; child protection, including psychosocial care; and education supplies.
Simple Plan is collaborating with the Canada-Ukraine Foundation and the Ukrainian Congress Committee of America to help amplify the video’s impact and reach as well as its fundraising efforts for Ukraine.
The Canada-Ukraine Foundation was formed in order to coordinate, develop, organize and deliver assistance projects generated by Canadians and directed to Ukraine. It was established as a national charitable foundation that would coordinate with Canadian organizations that have projects in Ukraine, as well as other projects in Canada.
The Ukrainian Congress Committee of America helps enable the Ukrainian-American community to generate the political capital and momentum needed to aid the people of Ukraine. It strives to increase the importance and role of the Ukrainian-American community in the civic and cultural life of the country.
“Wake Me Up (When This Nightmare’s Over)” is the latest single from Simple Plan’s forthcoming Harder Than It Looks album, which will be released on May 6.
The band formed in 1999 and its No Pads, No Helmets...Just Balls debut album was issued in 2002.