Does M.I.A.’s “Born Free” Video Go Too Far?
By now you have heard about or seen M.I.A.‘s grim video for “Born Free.” Its violent subject matter, laced with a message to eliminate violence against minorities, is a tough pill to swallow upon initial viewing. The video shows US flag wearing police officers — in full riot gear — rounding up red-headed “minorities” in a manner both eye-opening and unapologetic. As the video wears on, you see the minorities taken to the desert where they’re brutally hunted and shot down. It’s certainly not made for American television nor is it made for anyone with a weak stomach, but it is a truth that may be a tough pill to swallow
M.I.A. and director Romain Gavras never intended to sugarcoat the truth about world prejudice and the oppression of minorities across the globe. Sometimes you need to see violence to understand the nature of the beast. Still, some say the “Born Free” video has gone too far. The shooting of a 12-year-old may be seen as the tipping point of the video by many, and some were possibly turned off from the nudity in the beginning. Others may be disgusted beyond belief with the young man exploding at the end. Even more may not have a problem with the violent nature of the video, but the fact there’s an American flag attached to the oppressors sends a message many Americans don’t want to accept (“not us”). The truth of the matter is these are issues that are actually going on around the world and yes, it may be a bit dramatic, but the parallels with our own issues concerning immigration, the treatment of the prisoners in Abu Ghraib and more are staggering.
It’s no secret that world oppression against minorities is still a very real thing. Perhaps we don’t want to believe it because it is not on our nightly news. “Born Free” is political protest in its truest form. But does the message become lost in the controversial nature of the video?
You be the judge — parental discretion is advised for children under 12:
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In my opinion, no it doesn’t. Around 1998-2001 with the rise of Electronica groups & artists such as Aphex Twin, Photek, Westbam, Roni Size & Reprazent, Leftfield, The Prodigy, Nine Inch Nails, Tool, Krust, DJ Krush, DJ Shadow, DJ Spooky The Subliminal Kid, Autechre, Massive Attack, Portishead, Alec Empire, Tricky, Goldie, The Crystal Method, Daft Punk, Air & Lo Fidelity All Stars often made similar videos that only got shown late @ night on MTV shows like Amp & 120 Minutes. That video just brought back some great memories for me.
It’s no different than the JUSTICE video that came out in 2008 for “Stress” (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ap-xkjeXODo). In this climate of the internet people have become cynical & desensitized by most images & THIS video shocks their senses & makes them begin THINKING & talking. If it makes people think (even if they’d rather avoid thinking) I’m all for it.
Hopefully, this is the beginning to a new renaissance of creative, thought provoking videos online.
One.
I’M sorry, I got to say this “put the gun down and let lil orphan annie go”.
Gone too far for what? Or for who? It’s obvious that this video won’t air on MTV or BET… and today’s youth are watching far more disturbing real-life events on YouTube. Most of them are the ones recording those events and posting them to begin with. This video is like a clip from an okay war movie. My son’s video games got more violence in em. Just appreciate the art for what it is and keep it pushin. I’d much rather see these concepts in pop culture than the BS we’ve been seeing.
I think if this video didn’t go as far as it did it wouldn’t be as thought provoking nor would we still be talking about it. I agree with Dart’s points. This video reminds of the Justice “Stress” video as well. That one was also directed by Romain Gavras. It also reminds me of El P’s “Smithereens (Stop Crying)” which shows the white rapper as a Guantanamo detainee being brutally beaten.
The fact it’s a violent world and it’s important for artist to make statements about it that shock us out of our comfort zones sometimes. The fact is “Born Free” is just a video, it’s art. It’s not real. The last video “Born Free” reminds me of is the Wiki WikiLeaks video of US forces firing on unarmed Iraqi civilians and that’s real life.
Anything that encourages more discussion and thought about what’s actually going on in this world is worthwhile and necessary. Props to M.I.A. More of my thoughts on the video and all the videos I listed above at http://www.sofreshandsogreen.com/2010/04/27/some-thoughts-on-mias-born-free/
This isn’t a video that you’ll see up for any kind of award at these award ceremonies and it’s not something you’ll see people comparing with say Lady Gaga or Ke$ha, sadly. Because most people are brainwashed into watching silly things and enjoying that rather than something with a deeper meaning, like this video.
It’s definitely an interesting perspective on what minorities all across the globe are going through. I’m a little surprised M.I.A. used the American flag considering the possibility of backlash, but then again it shouldn’t be too surprising, the country is engaged in two wars and I believe she is just trying to get her point across. She’d know a lot about the subject considering what her family went through in Sri Lanka. She also more than likely has some knowledge on what the non-Pashtun ethnic groups go through in Afghanistan, or what the minority Kurds went through during the Saddam era in Iraq, or even how the minority groups in India (Parsi’s, Pashtuns, Tamils etc.) feel when the majority groups keep them down.
This is just one of the many reasons why I like and why I respect M.I.A. so much. She isn’t afraid to get her feet a little wet, even if controversy follows. The “Paper Planes” song seems so appropriate with what is going on with the whole Mexico-Arizona immigration thing. Sigh.
How can showing the truth be going too far? Far too many people go about their cushy little lives ignorant about what is really going on in the world and ignorant about the history of genocide. This is nothing compared to the reality.
The song sucks azz! The video did not offend me in anyway, but it is not good either.
Perhaps what’s MIA is her talent.
@ cee
lol exactly what I was thinking!
I think it went too far. I understand there are things like this going on in the world, but it’s not for mtv and for my kids to see.
I don’t think the video goes to far. I actually don’t think that it is “pushing the envelope” as much as many claim. I’ve seen much more disturbing things and certainly messages with more depth that pass more social boundries.
The message of genocide is interesting and important to bring to a new audience. The video, however, is poorly done and confused. The gated area at the end is devoid of military personal and the costumes are generic. This imagery gives the impression that the collecting and killing of redheads is a small and unsanctioned act, rather than a massive, organized movement by a national government.
Why do the military personal swarm and search an entire buidling for one redheaded man and ignore three more on an empty street, who stand there as easy targets? It is also not clear why people are beaten for having sex. The minefield and physical violence is poorly done and laughably fake.
The video is not consistent with its message and although emotional, is poorly composed. Much of the power it could have had is lost, and with it, it’s ability to be truly controversial.