I make a lot of jokes about interpretive dance as a means of communication. I work in legal training, and when discussions come up about alternatives to the talking head format, my go-to joke suggestions are always interpretive dance and sock puppets. This time, I’m not laughing.

The song is “Medicine” by UK indie band Daughter. The story is a simple and believable one. A woman suffers as her lover struggle with addiction, then, instead of helping him fight the battle, she finds herself an addict, too. It’s beautifully choreographed and interpreted, and the filming is every bit as masterful as the performances.

Here’s a little about the dancers. He is American dancer and choreographer Zack Benitez. The white costume that brings to mind a hospital gown was his idea, too. I loved that. She is Tamara Marthe, better known as French pop singer Shy’m.

Shot in an abandoned French warehouse that used to be used to make glass and silverware, the location definitely adds to the sense of isolation and desperation. And they do get very, very dirty.