The Lumineers released their third album III on 9/13, and debuted its accompanying visual, a 44-minute film in three chapters that follows the narrative thrust of the 10 songs. Out on Dualtone/eOne, the album and film are a conceptual tour de force, based on a story by lead vocalist Wesley Schultz and drummer/pianist Jeremiah Fraites.

Following its premiere 9/8 at the Toronto International Film Festival, the film screened 9/16 at the Paradigm Agency in Beverly Hills, attended by eOne Global President Music Chris Taylor, band manager/Activist partner Bernie Cahill, Activist literary manager Jon Kanak and most of the Paradigm music department. Directed by Kevin Phillips, the film explores addiction over three generations of a working-class American family. The songs—initially inspired by Schultz’s own family members—were written by Schultz and Fraites.

“This short film is about a member of my family whose battle with addiction has led her to rehab, jail, and ultimately homeless now, for over a year,” Schultz has explained. “I never dreamed it would be premiered at one of the top international film festivals in the world.”

The film is incredibly heavy, a melancholy odyssey at times reminiscent of Pink Floyd's The Wall (without the trippy animation). It's a family tragedy playing out over years and generations, with recurring musical themes, all taking place in the same rural house. With hauntingly memorable songwriting, and excellent acting and cinematography, it's already generating some Grammy buzz for best longform music video. Personal demons, alcohol and drug abuse, along with domestic and other violence, are all interwoven into a tragic tapestry—one family’s gut-wrenching, heartbreaking dance with destiny.

Back safely in the cocoon of our car on the drive home, we rolled up the windows and sobbed quietly behind our sunglasses, contemplating life and all its twists and turns, and the harsh hand that some are dealt inescapably.