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M.I.A shows you the meaning of "shock video" The video is banned from youtube, so you have to follow the link to see it.
WARNING: The violence in this vid is GRAPHIC. Do not watch if you are sensitive to it. http://www.spin.com/artic...-new-video Interpretation will make for good conversation. I have said I don't like her music and I don't. BUT, I love her messages and her fearless approach. The girl knows how to rock a boat. | |
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This intrigues me. I will look into M.I.A. because of this clip. But I'm most intrigued by the filmmaker, Romain Gavras.
Imagine the skin tone and hair tweaked just enough to create justification in the minds of many. There will always be something to divide us. And perhaps not nearly as many would feel the need to become so extreme if actual understanding were to fill in for generational ignorance. But on the other hand, there are clearly people that need to be stomped out, but how many innocents must pay the price? ---- [Edited 4/26/10 15:35pm] | |
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Ah, I so hoped it was going to be nudity..... 
I've only glanced at it, as yet, but I like the concept, and it seems to work (partly because of the violence, I think), whereas it could've easily come off as incredibly pat and unconvincing. Song hasn't grabbed me yet, though. "Not everything that is faced can be changed; but nothing can be changed until it is faced." - James Baldwin | |
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Cool short film. It better on mute. | |
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The visuals were so commanding, I barely noticed the song. Very deep imagery going on there. | |
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5 stars. 
Reverse racism is a bitch. Everyone in Arizona needs to see this video.  | |
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I'm guessing the obvious interpretation is that the "redheads" can symbolize any group a government deems disposable.
Couldn't quite determine if the one that took the head shot was a girl. If not, the disposal is even more sinister, focusing on eliminating the males of said group. As for marketing, they satisfied the violence quotient with a pinch of sex thrown in. And the fact that YouTube banned it will just make certain folks want to hunt it down. The visuals were much more powerful that the musical accompanyment which came off as purely incidental for me. Music for adventurous listeners tA  Tribal Records"Ya see, we're not interested in what you know...but what you are willing to learn. C'mon y'all." | |
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8:31 is the most graphic part and rather gross and unsettling. Other than that....this is like any other violent political thriller flick. Not sure why she has to go this route. If she wants to engage in activism, civil rights and politics then just do it...don't make a video so others can say "oooh that was deep". | |
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I love it and hate it at the same time - the song & video.
Cheap Suicide sample, Beasties style vocal distortion, simple, effective lyric. Matches the brutality and bluntness of the visuals. Not something to watch or listen to for pleasure. I won't be returning to this often considering how much I love her music. Made the point though. | |
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Loved it! | |
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Cool Video. The music is what S.S.Sputnik would have sounded like with a female vocalist. M.I.A has clearly been listening to Suicides "Ghost Rider". | |
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Heard the song (but not the video) and thought it very derivative of the 90s but that's just me. Space for sale... | |
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sosgemini said: Heard the song (but not the video) and thought it very derivative of the 90s but that's just me.
okaaayyyy....this thread was about the video. You should check it out. | |
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Thanks for posting.  looking for you in the woods tonight Switch FC SW-2874-2863-4789 (Rum&Coke) | |
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sosgemini said: Heard the song (but not the video) and thought it very derivative of the 90s but that's just me.
It's almost does sound like the late 1990's Jungle/D&B.  | |
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i don't know if i like it or not. all i know is that
i don't want to watch it again to make sure  and true love lives on lollipops and crisps | |
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it's way too graphic.
(spelling edit) [Edited 4/27/10 3:31am] yes SIR! | |
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I really liked the style of it; particularly the ending with all the landmines, but I didn't find anything that was shocking or particularly revelatory about the actual video or it's message though. Isn't the message (goverment aggression aimed at an arbitrary group?) one that everyone pretty much agrees with anyway? Or am I missing a hidden meaning? | |
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AshK said: I really liked the style of it; particularly the ending with all the landmines, but I didn't find anything that was shocking or particularly revelatory about the actual video or it's message though. Isn't the message (goverment aggression aimed at an arbitrary group?) one that everyone pretty much agrees with anyway? Or am I missing a hidden meaning?
And who was the last mainstream artist to make a video on the subject? Very few of these bought-and-paid-for product reps called entertainers are using their "star power" to say anything these days. Its all about "building their brand" or product placement in their songs and videos. They are basically corporate whores with record contracts - musical commercials between the commercials. Nobody said the message was NEW, but it was very bold. and... If seeing people pulled away from their families by military force, horded away in prison-like vehicles, kids shot in the head at point blank range and people exploding isn't shocking imagery, you have been desensitized. | |
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Government sanctioned scapegoating. Interesting way to make the point. 2010: Healing the Wounds of the Past.... http://prince.org/msg/8/325740 | |
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I suspect that, as well as the meaning we give to it, connected with the histories of racism in our own societies, or wars our armed forces are involved in abroad, there's another layer of meaning to it for MIA, which relates to the brutal end to the long-running conflict in Sri Lanka last year. Footage of atrocities against Tamils surfaced and was authenticated recently, and I imagine that's the tip of an iceberg that people with family ties to the region know about - and she's made the fact that she identifies with the Tamil struggle clear in the past.
http://www.channel4.com/n...os/3464152 http://www.france24.com/e...-sri-lanka [Edited 4/27/10 13:10pm] "Not everything that is faced can be changed; but nothing can be changed until it is faced." - James Baldwin | |
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BlaqueKnight said: AshK said: I really liked the style of it; particularly the ending with all the landmines, but I didn't find anything that was shocking or particularly revelatory about the actual video or it's message though. Isn't the message (goverment aggression aimed at an arbitrary group?) one that everyone pretty much agrees with anyway? Or am I missing a hidden meaning?
And who was the last mainstream artist to make a video on the subject? Very few of these bought-and-paid-for product reps called entertainers are using their "star power" to say anything these days. Its all about "building their brand" or product placement in their songs and videos. They are basically corporate whores with record contracts - musical commercials between the commercials. Nobody said the message was NEW, but it was very bold. and... If seeing people pulled away from their families by military force, horded away in prison-like vehicles, kids shot in the head at point blank range and people exploding isn't shocking imagery, you have been desensitized. I am aware of the difference between an artist and an entertainer, and whilst I don't disagree with your points, I fail to see how they're relevant to this video. I'm not critiquing her artistic integrity; I like MIA! You're probably right; I have been desensitised because this stuff is on the news everyday; governmental scapegoating, scaremongering, racial profiling, all those things are a reality in 2010, and that was my point. Showing all this out in a music video is interesting and I can appreciate it on that level, but I don't think it's that bold, it's just repeating what most people already think. | |
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Ok, MIA is a fan of Rambo IV
and I DON'T GIVE A SHIT shitty song, unnecessary video ... MIA, go home  | |
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AshK said: I am aware of the difference between an artist and an entertainer, and whilst I don't disagree with your points, I fail to see how they're relevant to this video. I'm not critiquing her artistic integrity; I like MIA! You're probably right; I have been desensitised because this stuff is on the news everyday; governmental scapegoating, scaremongering, racial profiling, all those things are a reality in 2010, and that was my point. Showing all this out in a music video is interesting and I can appreciate it on that level, but I don't think it's that bold, it's just repeating what most people already think. By bold, I meant graphic - which it is. There are lots of people who don't believe this sort of thing happens and don't believe that our own troops are doing some of it. Art has always reflected life. MY POINT was that its nice to see some artists still trying to keep that concept going instead of corporate sponsored commercials to lull the general public. Very few artists with access to mainstream exposure are doing anything significant. Its all about partying and fucking and a falling in love and cheating, etc. At least she said something. You say its said everyday but I disagree. Its not said much by artists in their art. The news is the news but art and music have a different effect on most people than the news does. I commend her and the short film director for their collaborative efforts in trying to make a statement. | |
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BlaqueKnight said: By bold, I meant graphic - which it is. There are lots of people who don't believe this sort of thing happens and don't believe that our own troops are doing some of it. Art has always reflected life. MY POINT was that its nice to see some artists still trying to keep that concept going instead of corporate sponsored commercials to lull the general public. Very few artists with access to mainstream exposure are doing anything significant. Its all about partying and fucking and a falling in love and cheating, etc. At least she said something. You say its said everyday but I disagree. Its not said much by artists in their art. The news is the news but art and music have a different effect on most people than the news does. I commend her and the short film director for their collaborative efforts in trying to make a statement. I agree is IS nice, and it is interesting as it gets people talking (I already said as much), plus hopefully it will give her a new audience as well. But I think most art says something about this all, listen to any so-called conscious rap for example, or any political themed movie post Iraq, etc. It just depends on what you open yourself up to. But I'll admit I didn't give much thought to that group (the bold part of your quote) of people, I'm just going by own knowledge and experiences. | |
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ehh. Not sure why it needed to be banned, nothing particularly graphic about it.
I do like it though, good message. Not crazy about the song though. Another one of M.I.A's songs where the beat is louder than she is and she's mumbling along with it. | |
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http://www.youtube.com/wa...224CkygvR4 sound familier? | |
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Saw the video. That's it.
I guess it relates to global issues.  | |
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MikeyB71 said: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a224CkygvR4 sound familier?
I don't even want to watch it now that someone told me it samples this. Also, Banned By Youtube is the new Banned By MTV marketing tool. | |
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Cinnie said: MikeyB71 said: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a224CkygvR4 sound familier?
I don't even want to watch it now that someone told me it samples this. Also, Banned By Youtube is the new Banned By MTV marketing tool. Well, if that's all it takes to deter you from seeing it then maybe you should skip it but please, don't try to critique it in another thread somewhere without seeing it first. Personally, I thought it was a well done short film and props to the director for doing it. As someone who is not a M.I.A fan, I give her props for presentation. I still don't dig her music that much but this was a good video. | |
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