Is Romain Gavras' New Video for MIA's 'Born Free' Too Extreme?
MIA released her now infamous new video, directed by Romain Gavras, on her website today after a dispute with Youtube and her own record label, Universal Music. After Youtube decided to remove the video from its US website MIA began a viral campaign of sorts by taking over PitchFork's Twitter account - see #miap4k. The controversy surrounding Gavras' video-short for Born Free seems to concern its portrayal of US officers rounding up red-heads and shooting them discriminatorily.
Gavras appears to be making a political and artistic statement about the absurdities of discrimination against an other. The release of this video seems well-timed considering the recent introduction of Arizona's new immigration law which even President Obama has criticized. The question remains: do Gavras and MIA take their artistic statement to a distasteful or disrespectful extreme?
Comments
I think it is fantastic. If you want to get into a REAL NSFW video check out Health's new video.
Such a fantastic song, video is pretty grusome though so be warned!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=toG4bHjPLEU
I also think it's incredible. With the recent "censorship" fiasco surrounding the 200th-201st episodes of southpark -which brings back the army of gingers- the timing is perfect. Here is another gritty Gavras short for you all.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FU7bFpPJiww