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Formation - Beyoncé

In what ways are the themes of conflict represented in this video?

Mise-en-scene - L/S of police officers lined up look at black minority dancing.

Mise-en-scene - 'stop shooting us' graffiti accompanies the lyric 'get eliminated' which symbolises theme of death.

C/U - Beyonce sitting on police car, sinking in to water, forming binary opposition between the police and Beyonce, a black performer.

Slow pan of dilapidated buildings accompanied by the lyrics 'do you remember what happened in New Orleans' - Explicit reference to Hurricane Katrina.

Midshot of women in old fashioned clothing (Antebellum era dresses) which have connotations of slave ownership which may suggest that they are now they're their own person. This in an example of cultural appropriation. This clip could be used in a post modern way just because it looks cool.

Womans arms in figure skating suggests that she is a swan in flight. The awkward imbalance may represent some conflict in her life. The way she arches her back makes her begin to resenble a swan.

Her erratic circular movements in this clip suggest that she is watching her back which could be symbolic of the discrimination of the black community in New Orleans and that the black community may have to watch oput for police.
Her head movement in this clip suggests that she is shaking off any threats. the speed of this head movement suggests the she is in more danger in having to get rid of threats than white people are which creates conflict between different ethnicities.
 The lack of movement in this clip suggests that she is safe from any threat and has no worries. It could also be used to objectify women which would agree with the Male gaze theory.
The movement of her whole body suggests that she is passionate about the message being put forward in this particular video and this is shown through her energetic movement.

Beyonce's rigid nodding suggests that she is being forced into accepting the situation she is in.

Shot at 2:52 gives a sense of community.

Entire row of dancers with weigh on one leg suggests they are all about to run forward in unison.

Beyonce's gun finger gesture is symbolic of police brutality.

Mise-en-scene of Beyonce being surround by black females connotes mystery. The also have stereotypical black afro hair.

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