M.I.A.'s new (9 minute long) video

[MrMidwest]

Posted: 4/26/10 at 4:59pm

Born Free (warning: graphic violence)

Updated On: 4/26/10 at 04:59 PM

[wicked_beast4]

Posted: 4/26/10 at 5:52pm

Stupidest piece of s**t I've seen in a while. It's one thing trying to be "edgy" or to "make a statement," but that crosses a line in a music video. And in no way am I a prude or conservative, but the graphic shooting of a child in the head is not something I enjoy watching.

And I am SO getting tired of this "mini movie" music video trend.

[wicked_beast4]

Posted: 4/26/10 at 5:55pm

And I understand the whole government rounding up minorities things, and its an important message to get across. But once you get to the graphic killing of a child, you've lost my support.

[mariusmyhomeboy]

Posted: 4/26/10 at 8:36pm

Amazing video.

I don't think she's trying to be "edgy" for the sake of being edgy. She grew up around civil war because her father was an activist, and she continues (http://transcurrents.com/tc/2010/01/post_475.html) to speak out in support of the Tamil people. This is what's happening in her country.

[jrb_actor]

Posted: 4/26/10 at 9:02pm

Stunning. Brilliant.

MIA is not some ditzy pop star trying to be cool. She makes provocative art.

And, why shouldn't music videos be treated as short films? That's what they are.

I'm sorry that video upset you, but that was precisely the point. Those are real things happening to children.

[strummergirl]

Posted: 4/26/10 at 9:06pm

I fail to see how the video is stupid. Disturbing, yes, but MIA has always been about applying the geopolitical situations to her music. She was applying the real situations of her home country and countries of 'the third world' to a Western situation. Do not think that what happened in the video did not/cannot happen in real life.

[wicked_beast4]

Posted: 4/26/10 at 9:28pm

I'll admit, bad choice of words. My mind was just reeling at the time of posting. Yes, it is a message that should be getting out there, and yes, it is actually happening in parts of the would. I know that, I'm not THAT ignorant or naive.

That being said, I still don't agree with brutal violence like that in something so main stream, especially when it concerns a child. Again, I am no prude or conservative, quite the opposite, and I can see the artistic merit in parts (most) of this video. But I will not nor will I ever agree with displaying violence like that towards children.

And once again, I know that that IS actually happening to children in the world, and it sickens me. But whether it be out of caring for my own siblings or something else, I just won't support anyone or anything displaying that cruelty towards a child.

[jrb_actor]

Posted: 4/26/10 at 9:43pm

I know what you are saying, but I think it's a hard stance that doesn't allow any nuance.

She's using that image to bring attention to violence against children. To stop it. I just think if you stop and think about what art can be and do, you'll maybe have a more nuanced opinion of it. That moment was a slap in the face. Reality. Piercing through the chaotic overload that is our media today.

Updated On: 4/26/10 at 09:43 PM

[Bettyboy72]

Posted: 4/26/10 at 10:05pm

I agree. It's powerful and makes a statement. Oftentimes we forget the harsh realities bestowed upon others because such things do not happen in the US. Innocent children and people are killed everyday. The profiling of the boys in the video highlights the stupidity and senselessness of violence towards anyone viewed as "other." I think it is very powerful.

[canmark]

Posted: 4/28/10 at 11:08pm

Just watched it. Amazing.

My only quibble is that I think it would have been more powerful if the military didn't speak English (I think it would have been more menacing if we couldn't understand what they were yelling) and if they didn't have American flags on their uniforms. I think an unknown military presence would feel more threatening, more to the point that any group could go after any other group for any reason.

Updated On: 4/28/10 at 11:08 PM

[ErikJ972]

Posted: 4/29/10 at 1:16pm

But I think the video is commenting specifically about things going on in this country.

[MrMidwest]

Posted: 4/29/10 at 4:34pm

I think she's trying to make Americans (more specifically, white Americans) sit up and take notice of atrocities going on all over the world.

[strummergirl]

Posted: 4/29/10 at 5:07pm

The flags on the uniforms went over my head completely. With the kids being rounded up being red-heads and seeing the street murals saying, 'Our Time Will Come', I assume it was shot in Northern Ireland, I thought it was a quasi-take on the white-on-white strife between the UK and the Irish. I read somewhere that the origins of the 'ginger jokes' was because it is a distinctly Irish hair color.
Updated On: 4/29/10 at 05:07 PM

[jrb_actor]

Posted: 4/29/10 at 5:45pm

It would seem that she is alluding to issues all over the world because you guys are right--there is a mix of images: American, UK, Middle East, etc. It certainly feels universal.

[Biff AKA Levi]

Posted: 4/29/10 at 5:50pm

Cartman's gonna be pissed!