The Killers - Mr Brightside
The opening shots displays the band, in gold, with a red curtain behind them, with golden stars. The use of gold is used a lot throughout the settings within the video, in the sense that Brandon (the lead vocalist), wears a golden-coloured waist-coat. Also, the gold elements can be seen in the colour of the wood which makes up the double bass. The gold isn't simply limited to the band, but is used a lot in the setting. As we can see in the next few shots, two golden arc beams hang to the left and right of the stage where the band are playing. The gold is an obvious visual connotations of wealth and power.
The wealth is also present due to the elegant building, along with other characteristics, such as the Chinese Imperial guardian lion sculptures, which are also known as Foo Dogs and "Shishi". The historic symbolism of these sculptures were power, importance and sophistications, as the figures would be placed typically near Chinese Government buildings. It's made quite apparent that the person who owns this building considers himself to be in a position of power.
Later we see a fair maiden looking up at Brandon from her seat. Lust and romance are in this woman's eyes, as the iconography of her shy smile and twiddling with her hair gives us the audience no doubt she is flirting, or at least enticing him with her charm. This clearly works as Brandon and the woman often have an eye line fixed on one another. The women herself is in fact very pale, with subtle rosiness in her cheeks and boldly red lips. This decolourisation in her skin could be her washed-out energy, and sheer tiredness, being at the beckon call of the gentleman we later see in a smoking jacket. However, this meaning could in fact be an ambiguous expression of power and class too, due to the fact that during the 1400's, it was common for women to make their facial complexion whiter, using egg whites. In society then, the whiter a person was, the more power they had, as dark people were classed as labourers, spending time out in fields. However, as we see later, I believe the woman is white due to sorrow and tiredness. On the other hand, the fare complexion and fare hair could be used to symbolise innocence, and an angelic persona, which has been subtly tainted. The clothes she's wearing are also fare, with frayed ends. This too adds to the fact that she initially appears to be this delicate, frail woman.
In the next section, we are introduced to a man, aged in his late forties, up to mid-fifties. The man sits alone, in a large padded seat, wearing a smoking jacket and holding an apple in his right hand. The man appears to have wealth, as he sits with a smug face, calm, and a relaxed attitude. When the man tosses the apple to the lady, we see that the man has control over the lady. This may be in the sense that he is married, or engaged to be married to the fare lady; or that he dominates her, due to money, power, or as simple as gender stereo-typing. The way this man chucks the apple to the lady immediately places her in a fixed role, restricted in some way, much like the phrase "give the dog a bone". Also, as we consider the age difference, we see that the young lady, who is made to be in her early-to-late twenties, is being put into her place in society as immature and dysfunctional. The ageist and sexist remarks portrayed could be a strong visualisation of Gauntlett's theory, in regards to stereo-typing amongst age and gender in these current times. Though, it has been placed through an amplification perspective and has been incorporated in an historic period.
The surroundings of the man in a smoking jacket, are based around the colours red and gold. The implications of gold suggest that the man has power, which I discussed earlier. However, the use of red could be a link to the symbolism of life. The life within each person is the blood (red), and therefore acts as the force driving people. As red can act as energy, we can see this person is full of life, posing smugly as his performers (the women) act for him, as well as potential clients; where clients is meant in a derogative way. Red could also refer to blood in a negative connotation, and relate to the white of the fare lady. The blood could be abuse; torment, verbal abuse; or even physical abuse, which again can be a sinister meaning behind Gauntlett's theory. Another iconic visualisation of the colour red could be the apple which is tossed to the fare lady. This red apple may have a link to the abuse I said before, as the lady later places the apple down on to the table, and begins to lead the older gentleman to her right, away for seduction; as well as each extra person, after the iconic apple is tossed to her.
In the next section, where the man tosses the apple, us and the audience receive a glimpse of the relationship between the two. As we can see, the relationship is clearly favouring the man, as the use of that memorable tossing of the apple can be captured and interpreted as holding the power, and having this ability to own and control this fare maiden. Therefore, the white complexion of the lady could be related a lot to fear; along with the point discussed with the red being seen as a visualisation of the fear too. However, the fear could be contradicted by the fact that the lady is subtly flirting with Brandon. Another key point is the finger gesture that the man gives to the woman. When the man points his finger, it's clear that this is his way of overtly showing his disapproval. However, as his finger is suggesting the man next to her, she interprets the gesture to lead the older man; which still shows that the man is always placing the woman in a certain state. At this point, after the man is lead off screen, the idea that this room is a brothel is confirmed, due to the fact that she looks depressed, or bored by the fact that the man in the smoking jacket, whom we now see as a pimp, is once more making her carry out a derogative task.
Finally, throughout the video, it's made clear that the man in the smoking jacket, who we now strongly suspect is a pimp, acknowledges the fact that Brandon wishes to get closer to the fare lady, yet doesn't permit. This strongly relates to Stuart Hall's remark, that for representation in music videos to be meaningful, to audiences, an element of recognition must be present, in the form of a situation or idea which has been experienced. The situation here, is that Brandon can't get to know the girl. This can certainly be related to, as many have been prevented from getting to know someone, due to their parents, or society disapproving the communication.
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