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deja vu? the video

so...yesterday while i was {not working} at work, and reading celebrity gossip instead, i came across an interesting bit on msn. apparently, some folks have started a petition against beyonce's "deja vu" video, asking that it be reshot because:

A) There is no clear story or theme to the video
B) The dancing is erratic, confusing and alarming at times
C) The sexual themes and shots between Ms. Knowles and Mr. Sean Carter PKA Jay-Z, are alarming and show unacceptable interactions between the two
D) The fashion in this video, while haute-couture, is unbelievable and ridiculous
E) The editing, while professionally done, causes one to get dizzy and disoriented
F) The overall feel of the video leaves a sense of much to be desired
G) The video is very disappointing and is not a clear representation of any of the songs themes

these reasons were taken directly from the petition. now, while some of the points resonated with me (i really wondered why beyonce's face spent so much time hovering around jay-z's belt area) i really couldn't believe the fact that the petitioners found the overall choreography to be "erratic, confusing and alarming at times."* so i decided to take a little stand against the position here.

the choreography of the video shows a very sophisticated knowledge of west african dance. for instance, didn't anybody else notice beyonce doing a bit of the ostrich dance in there? the ostrich dance is an all but legendary dance originally choreographed by all but legendary dancer/choreographer asadata dafora in 1932. i was really impressed when i saw that, because not only is the video entertainment, it took pains to situate itself in a purely artistic tradition and to honor those who came before. so yeah, i really did catch a little deja vu watching the video. so take that, haters.

and, come on, beyonce's couture looked fierce.


*i also happen to think that, in life, the comma series looks better, more considered, and more deliberate when the conjunction is directly preceded by a comma. so take that, petition writers.

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About me

  • I'm call me aja
  • From nyc
  • 20something, black, woman, reader, writer, about to be a student again. i think i'd like to be heard (or read). child/grandchild of immigrant folk. yearning to travel. desirous of wisdom. a little bit ordinary, but working at being less so.
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