Terry Gilliam Directing Arcade Fire's Madison Square Garden Webcast

When it comes to directing concert films, Terry Gilliam might not be Martin Scorcese in terms of experience. Hell, he might not even be Jonathan Demme. Nonetheless, he might be the perfect choice to direct the upcoming webcast of Arcade Fire's Aug. 5 Madison Square Garden concert.

The web-streamed event is the first of a series of five concerts that is being produced by American Express, and featured on YouTube/Vevo. John Legend and The Roots will also perform as part of the series, though no directors have been announced for those sets yet.

So why is Gilliam the perfect person to direct the webcast? Well, he is the man who made 12 Monkeys, which this writer is told is a pretty accurate description of the Arcade Fire. (Note: the author has done no research as to whether or not the Arcade Fire is actually composed of twelve of our adorable, furry, primate cousins. He’d look into it, but it’s almost time for lunch).

So what will a concert video featuring the Montreal band and the whimsical visual sense of the former Monty Python-er look like?

We imagine there's going to be a lot of surreal imagery (no special effects needed — Win Butler's ridiculous haircut will more than suffice) and misanthropic characters (well... they ARE from Quebec, you know?).

In the tradition of Brazil, Time Bandits and The Imaginarium Of Dr. Parnassus, there'll also be an abrupt, vaguely disturbing ending (perhaps we will realize that the entire concert was nothing but a catatonic dream... just like their videos!). Here's hoping Richard Reed Parry shows up wearing high heels, suspenders and a bra.

Reports that Arcade Fire will replace most of their lyrics with the word spam or that they will come on stage dressed as cardinals circa the Spanish Inquisition and completely miss the point of a light-hearted skit by turning it into a heavy-handed attempt at "social commentary" have been neither confirmed nor denied at this point.