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Formation, The video, Context, Why did Beyonce choose these…
Formation
Use of profanity (obscene) adds an aggressive, passionate feel to the video and to Beyonce, perhaps connoting her power and challenging typical female representations of submissiveness
The juxtaposition of historical style / clothing (antebellum dresses) might highlight the historic way in which black people were enslaved
Draws attention to the binary opposites between how black people may have been treated historically and how this has changed now
Beyonce's reference to liking noses makes a strong message about black culture and beauty - challenges more colonialist representations in the mainstream media of black features in comparison to white west beauty
Beyonce dancing with group of women - in formation - - suggests the women are working together, united and strong.
Sexualisation of the women - use of costume when dancing - revealing (leotards / shorts / high heels) - conventional of pop music videos
Lots of powerful representations, - low angle camera shots, confident body language - however still stereotypical representations of women as sexualised / objectified - messages about women are confusing - feminist or not?
The video
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Start of the video , On top of the police car - flooding in New Orleans after hurricane Katrina
Loosley framed - wide angle shots / low angle. - Beyonce represented as independent. Her legs spread - connoting confidence
Position onto of the police car, suggests dominance over the police
Strong / powerful manner in a lot of the shots. - The Tracking towards her face makes her the focus - sense of importance
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The initial low angles of the police makes them seem intimidating and powerful in contrast to the young boy - (binary opposites between boy and the police). - reflects police brutality against young black boys.
The boy dancing, shows confidence / not scared - eye level camera shot encourages the audience to position themselves with the young boy
The police don't do anything (don't arrest him or move) - non aggressive - which is in the direct opposition to what audiences may have seen in the media.
Shows the wall 'stop shooting us' - again, reflects police violence, victimisation and BLM movement
Context
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Start of the video: "What happened at the New Orleans" - Messy Mya, a YouTube star - He was famous within the black and LGBTQ communities
Beyonce used his voice to signify the theme of black opression and discrimination - engages her audience but she did get sued for sampling his voice
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Several shots in the video come from a documentary 'That B.E.A.T' which was about bounce music and fans in New Orleans.
Includes: blue flashing lights, police - communicates a theme of police brutality against black communities
Reflecting the social, cultural and political context in America of racial discrimination, police brutality, BLM - familiar to audiences.
These shots highlight the conflict that's so common - Highlighting binary oppositions between black communities and police
Intellectual reference - Martin Luther King - draws attention to the way racial discrimination has been an ongoing for a long time
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Theorists
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Gilroy - Beyonce wearing jewels and rich costume - subverts the typical representations of black people often seen as being poorer / less successful