It looks like Romain Gavras is following in the footsteps of the politically charged films like "Z" and "Missing" of his father Costa-Gavras. The actor and filmmaker is behind the video "Born Free" by M.I.A. from her forthcoming, still untitled album (though, she's open to suggestions).
The nearly ten minute video is some graphic, heavy stuff. "Paper Planes" this ain't. The video tells the story of a bunch of teenagers and kids living who are rounded up by the police and either executed or forced to run through a minefield.
As far as the filmmaking goes, it's crisp and accomplished but it's hard to see what the point of it all is. M.I.A. has certainly never been one to keep her political opinions to herself, but it's difficult to see what message is being conveyed here not to mention the questionable decision to promote one's single with a video that pretty much relies solely on a kid getting shot in the head to garner some buzz. Anyway, judge for yourself below and yes, this is NSFW:
M.I.A, Born Free from ROMAIN-GAVRAS on Vimeo.
Posts
15 comments:
it seems to be a response to the whole "kick a ginger" kind of thing. as if the redheads became so outcasted, they formed their own terrorist group.
wow - no one gets that this is a juxtaposition of white people into the roles of Palestinians?
Recent History called, wants your attention....
Gotta side with Kenray, Kev; you don't get the point here? Obviously, it's up for interpretation, but it seems clear to me that she's communicating her well-known anti-oppression stance by domesticating the violence in a (probably) British setting, and using the minority of 'redheads' as a stand in for the oppression directed at people in third world countries across the globe. To make us fucking pay attention, for once.
For what it's worth-- and I don't use this word lightly-- I think Gravas has created something of a masterpiece with this clip (the song is a potent, undiluted shot of righteous adrenaline as well). This strikes me as a powerful political statement and even a bit of a wake-up call to an increasingly stale indie-music scene.
Ok, I was playing stupid a bit, but that doesn't make the clip any less simplistic. Nor does it make using gratuitous violence (ooh, close up of a little kid getting shot through the skull!) any less questionable.
I would've preferred it if M.I.A. actually addressed a real life political situation and made an actual statement about something rather than making a vague clip about oppression. If your clip is going to be seen by all your fans and then some, why not use it for an actual message?
Otherwise, the clip comes off as faux-political sloganeering used to sell records. Rage Against The Machine had videos that said more than this.
I'm surprised no one's mentioned it: this seems to owe a huge debt to Peter Watkins' Punishment Park
@Kevin: I don't think you can communicate a political perspective in music video form in a way that isn't abrasive and visually-oriented. The lyrics to the song provide some perspective and pointedness, but I don't expect a highly literate lecture or anything from a music video. I'm not sure what you would define as getting across an "actual point"? And in terms of criticizing it for its unsubtle ultra-violence, well, filmmakers like Kubrick and Oliver Stone are pretty much proof-positive how effective that approach can be.
@Benjamin: I haven't seen "Punishment Park" but from what I've read elsewhere that was definitely a point of reference; and the videos on YouTube I just checked out further enforces this.
@Sam I mean take a stand for something concrete: Palestinian rights; immigration reform, cheap parking in Manhattan -- whatever. I just find the "message" vague and simple to the point of being completely ineffective. And my objection to the ultra-violence is mostly its used in service to promote a record. Would anyone care about this clip if it was a standard video? Probably not.
I think that the video having no meaning was the main point. Violence is oftentimes very unnecessary. Why would anyone want to do that to people? Maybe its just because they can.
Living in Arizona, and with what's been going on here, what do you think I first thought of? Replace the redheads with Mexicans, and it hits a little closer to home. I'm also glad M.I.A. and Gavras didn't shy away from putting a U.S. Flag on the face of state-sponsored terrorism.
And in lieu of her criticism of pop singers who praise the avant-garde and do nothing avant-anything, it's interesting M.I.A. has the gumption to do SOMETHING with her ten-minutes, unlike Gaga who splashes colors and flashes her virgin mobile phone with her's.
Lady Gaga is a talentless cunt who likes to think she's "edgy" cause she's BI and has freaky taste in clothes, but her music might as well be Christina Aguilera.
Hey Kevin, some of us live trough this shit, for many this is real life. Graphic violence shouldn't be different from comedy, drama etc. on the media.
BTW Rage Against the Machine are the biggest posers on the social/political activism universe, only pot heads really believe in their calculated "rebellion".
Thats is the worst use of Suicides "Ghost rider" ever. EVER.
It's bad form to miss the point of a videoclip completely and then claim that you are only "playing dumb" when people call you out.
I think the "message" is intentionally vague. What's the point of singling out specific conflicts that people can easily digest and say "Yes, I agree." without actually being forced to critically assess the culture that makes these conflicts possible. It doesn't matter whether they're Palestinian, Tamil, redheads, queer. The point is that this kind of profiling exists worldwide - violently or insidiously. It's not enough to single out a conflict and pat yourself on the back for having an opinion. We should instead reflect on the multitude of different conflicts that exist historically and currently that this video could be an allegory for. I fail to see how such a statement is "faux political."
Also, the idea that this video is being used to "promote a record" is dubious. I felt physically ill after watching it - I'm not sure that's the best approach to customer relations. On the contrary, I think she's using her celebrity as a means of opening discussion about issues that are not raised in the commercial sphere. Yes, a lot more people have seen this video than would have been possible if it didn't have M.I.A. on the soundtrack, but I fail to see how that's a bad thing.
Post a Comment